By Dan Walsh in Enniscorthy
The 108th anniversary of the Easter Rising of 1916 in Enniscorthy was commemorated this morning at a colourful ceremony held in the Market Square.
“It is an honour to speak with you this Easter Monday morning as we commemorate the 108th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising,” said Cllr John O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, who continued; “Today we remember the people who believed in the republican cause and influenced events that saw the Tricolour flying over Enniscorthy for a week. As we gather to remember the events of the past it is fitting to recall the events that took place in these streets 108 years ago this week.”
Outlining the sequence of events, Cllr O’Rourke recalled that the 1916 Rebellion in Enniscorthy began at 4am on the Thursday of Easter week. The first headquarters was based in Irish Street and Keegan’s house was the base for 90 men who marched to the Athenaeum.
Cllr O’Rourke ceremoniously laid a wreath on the 1798 memorial in Market Square.
The attendance included Minister James Browne, Deputy Paul Kehoe, Deputy Johnny Mythen, Senator Malcolm Byrne, Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy, Aidan Browne, Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Cathal Byrne and Jackser Owens.
The ceremony began with Mass in St. Aidan’s Cathedral celebrated by Fr. Paddy Banville. The Reserve Defence Forces provided a Colour Party that led the parade from the cathedral, up Main Street, across Pig Market Hill, down Weafer Street into Market Square where Claire Lawless, District Manager, acted as master of ceremonies.
The event was attended by Ballindaggin Pipe Band, IUNVA Post No. 3 – Gorey and IUNVA Post No. 31 – Enniscorthy, members of Organisation of National Ex-Service personnel and members of Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society. Judy Heffernan read the 1916 Proclamation, Anthony Nolan played The Last Post and the event concluded with the Ballindaggin Pipe Band playing Armhán na bFhiann.
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