The weekend began with a commemorative dinner dance on the Friday night which was organised by Strabane Memorial Flute band. This band was set up in memory of the 3 brave volunteers shortly after their deaths. The dinner dance drew a huge crowd and was a complete success.
Saturday morning saw an early start for the Republican youths as they travelled to Aghyaran to start off a Republican tour of West Tyrone. Stops were made in Castlederg, Castlefinn, Clady and finished off in Strabane.
Sinn Fein Councillors Kieran McGuire, Ruairi McHugh and Brian McMahon, alongside ex IRA POW Paul McGarvey gave the youths an in-depth insight of how each volunteer on the West Tyrone Roll of Honour was killed and succeeded in educating the youths of the courageous exploits of the Volunteers and the sacrifices they had made in their fight for Irish freedom.
On arrival in Strabane, the youths proceeded to Fountain Street community centre where the 25th Anniversary Committee had set up an exhibition which was attended by hundreds throughout the duration of the weekend. The exhibition displayed personal belongings of the 3 volunteers, letters which were sent to the families at the time of their deaths, the Remembrance quilt which was put together by families of Volunteers throughout the island and a collection of republican memorabilia related to the 3 volunteers.
The commemorative DVD ‘Twilight Graves’ which was produced in memory of the 3 young IRA men was also launched at this event and can be purchased by contacting the Strabane Sinn Féin centre on 028 7188 6464.
A social event was held in Drumquin GAA Clubrooms on the Saturday evening as part of the commemorative weekend. The event was attended by many from the surrounding areas and music was provided by Armagh rebel band ‘Paddywagon’. The event was a complete success and enjoyed by all who attended.
The main event was held on the Sunday afternoon. The annual band parade was held in Strabane and saw hundreds of Republicans from across the island and oversees unite and march in memory of the 3 brave young men. The main speaker Martin McGuinness gave his account of his memory of the deaths of the volunteers and spoke of their selfless heroism. He also spoke of the great distance Republicans have come and how we have broken the old ways of the Orange state.
“Orange parades through nationalist areas where they are not wanted have been consigned to a thing of the past. There is no going back to the days of domination and discrimination”.
Also at the parade Ógra Shinn Féin Tobias Molly Cumann unveiled a mural which was painted of the 3 volunteers. The mural was praised by the entire congregation and was a fitting tribute for our fallen comrades.
The huge turnout demonstrated the huge respect in which Charlie, Michael and David held and the large number of young people in attendance is testament to the lasting republican legacy of their ultimate sacrifice.
Speaking after the weekend Ógra activist Sean Gillespie stated,
“It’s great to see the crowd gathered here today to remember Charlie, Michael and David 25 years on. It’s a great tribute to the 3 Volunteers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. They were only young men, who were the age of many members of Ógra Shinn Fein. They gave their lives for the struggle that we continue here today. Although the battlefield and the tactics have changed, it does not mean we can take it easy. If anything we must step up our campaign. It is through our commitment and activism that we will unite our country.”
“A huge amount of time and effort has gone into this year’s commemorative events and it was an enormous tribute in memory of our 3 local volunteers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who participated in or helped to organise this year’s very successful commemorative events. We are extremely proud of the sacrifice Charlie, Michael and David made for our town and Ireland as a whole, the effort put in by everyone this weekend ensures that the memory of our local republican dead is never forgotten.”
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