By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy
The traditional Easter Rising 1916 commemoration organised by Enniscorthy Municipal District Council was held this morning. Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Browne laid a wreath on the steps of the 1798 memorial in Market Square.
Cllr Browne said it was “an honour and a privilege to welcome all to the wreath laying ceremony, as we gather to commemorate the Easter Rising of 1916 and, in particular, to reflect on the role that Enniscorthy played in that defining moment in our nation’s history.”
Cllr Browne continued; “We are gathered not simply to mark a date on the calendar, but to honour the memory of men and women who, at great personal risk, stood against an empire and declared that the Irish people had the right to govern themselves in their own land.”
The attendance included Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD, Deputy Johnny Mythen TD, Senator Cathal Byrne and Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy, Pat Kehoe, John O’Rourke and Jackser Owens and former TD John Browne.
The ceremony started with the traditional Easter Monday Mass at St. Aidan’s Cathedral celebrated by Very Rev. James Cullen. The Reserve Defence Forces’ Colour Party led the parade through Main Street, Pig Market Hill, Wafer Street, and into Market Square, where Martin Whelan was the 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. Dr Howard Keeley and students from Georgia Southern University also participated.
Judy Heffernan read the 1916 Proclamation, Anthony Nolan played The Last Post on the bugle and the event concluded with the Ballindaggin Pipe Band playing Amhrán na bhFiann.
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