By Dan Walsh at Bunclody
St. Colman’s Pipe Band, Ballindaggin, led by Pipe Major Jim Byrne and the Bunclody/Kilrush/Kilmyshal Pike Group under the command of Group Leader Walter Skelton led the commemorative pike march in Bunclody this evening (Sunday) to remember the Battle of Newtownbarry (Bunclody) which broke out on June 1st, 1798.
The Battle of Bunclody or Newtownbarry as it was then called, took place on June 1st, 1798, when a force of some 5,000 rebels led by Fr Mogue Kearns attacked the garrison at Bunclody as part of the Wexford rebels campaign against border garrisons.
The first wreath was laid at the ’98 memorial on Chapel Road where the inscription reads; “Erected to the memory of the pikemen of 1798. A.D. 1875.” The honours were bestowed on two of the youngest pikemen during the bicentenary in 1998 – Matthew Skelton and Ciarán Kelly.
Th second wreath was laid by Ian Kidd and Kate Skelton at the 1938 plaque on Bunclody bridge. The inscription (as Gaeilge and English) reads; “Erected to the memory of the men who fell fighting for Ireland at Bunclody on June 1st, 1798.”
Very Rev. Laurence O’Connor, Parish Priest of Bunclody, and The Reverend Canon Trevor Sargent, Rector, Bunclody Union of Parishes recited prayers at both sites. The attendance also included retired priest and historian, Canon Seamus S. de Bhal.
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, who also took part in the pike march, acted as master of ceremonies and explained a brief history of the battle. Apparently, about 250 people died in the battle and were interred in a mass grave beside the River Slaney where the 1938 plaque is located, but in 1875 when the bridge was rebuilt the bodies were exhumed and reburied in the graveyard on Chapel Road where a Celtic Cross stands proudly in the western corner, hence the significance on two wreath laying choices.
The wreaths were presented for laying by Aoife and Emer Nolan while Adam Fitzpatrick presented a bunch of flowers to Gloria Binions at the proceedings in The Square where the ceremonies ended.
Seamus Kelly read a poem; “The Battle of Newtownbarry (Bunclody)’, Niall Wall gave a rousing rendition of Boolavogue and the Ballindaggin Pipe Band played Amhrán na bFiann.
Afterwards, proprietor Michael Kehoe generously sponsored complimentary refreshments for all at the Rivers Edge restaurant.
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