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| Photo by Les Dunne |
An comoradh
eiri amach na casca I mblian 2013.
As chairman I would like to welcome you all, and to
give a special welcome to those who have travelled from abroad or long
distances to attend today’s commemoration. We would also like to extend our
sincere sympathies to the families of all those who have passed away, and
especially those who have suffered recent bereavements.
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| Photo by Les Dunne |
In recent years we have begun a tradition that we hope
will be carried on for many years to come. That tradition is to dedicate the
flag of the Irish republic( just behind me here ) in memory of life long republicans, The actual original
flag usurped the British union jack ,and was unfurled for the first
time over the G.P.O. in 1916, it is also known as Pearce’s flag. This year it is a great honour
to dedicate the flag of the Irish
Republic Liverpool and “again” found
himself at odds with the British establishment. From there he signed up to the
merchant navy and was to prove his worth yet again, as an able sea man, and
carried out many a valuable task for the republican cause. On his return to his native Wexford Town
As we approach the 100th anniversary of the
“Sinn Fein” rising of 1916, we do so with a great sense of immense admiration
for the men and women of 16.
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| Photo by Les Dunne |
We do so with a great sense of the immense courage
that they displayed under the back breaking regime and unjust laws of an
Imperialist Nation.
We do so with the sense of their great immense
willingness to sacrifice their own human lives for the love of the Irish people
and for the love of their native land..
As Wexford men and Women we too can take the same
pride in the part our Town contributed to the fight for Irish freedom . In fact
many of the participants who took part in the Enniscorthy rising faced the same
consequences of the signatories of the proclamation and were sentenced to
death. Only later to have their sentences commuted to a 3 to 4 year stint in
the” infamous concentration camp” known as frangoch in Wales.
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| Photo by Les Dunne |
Wexford also has a direct link with, the executed
leaders of 1916, one of whom was New Ross man Michael o Hanrachain (Michael o
Hanrahan). Michael was a member of Sinn Féin, an I.R.B. member and vice
commandant of the 3rd Batt. of the I.R.A. He was executed by the British on the 4th of May 1916 ,
along with his brave comrades, Edward Daly, William Pearse. Joseph Plunkett.
My friends, my fellow Irish men and Irish women, today
we all face a great challenge. A challenge to stand up against dictatorial
unfair legislation and elite protectionist policies that are hatched out on a
weekly basis in Dail Eireann, which are destroying the livelyhoods of the ordinary man
and ordinary woman, and are contrary to the common good . But together we will turn the politically impossible into the politically inevitable, because our republican
beliefs, ideals and republican principles have stood the test of time.
Because our republican beliefs are needed now! More than ever before.
Because our republican principles are right.
Because our republican ideals are as,
relevant now! As they were 97 years
ago.
Go raibh maith agaibh go leir.
Ladies and Gentlemen it gives me great pleasure to
introduce our main speaker today, Sandra Mc Lellan, from the rebel county of Cork
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| Photo by Les Dunne |
Sandra served on the Youghal town council in 2004. In
2009 she topped the poll and became the first Sinn Fein Mayor of Youghal. From
there she went on to serve on the Cork city Council and was elected a Teachta
Dala in 2011, receiving well over 6000 first preference votes, from her
constituents of East cork. She currently holds the portfolio of arts heritage and tourism for Sinn Fein. Now
I would like to ask you all to put .
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Great Post! But you might just want to try having the cork city walks, it would be really interesting!
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