Donegal T.D to address Tyrone County Easter commemoration

The newly elected T.D. for South west Donegal, Pearse Doherty will be the main speaker at this year’s Tyrone County commemoration in Carrickmore on Easter Sunday. The county commemoration, along with over 40 local mobilisations are being organised by the Tyrone SF Commemoration committee. This includes a County commemoration in Coalisland on Easter Saturday (3pm) which will be addressed by former hunger striker, Pat Sheehan MLA. Martin Mc Guinness MP will deliver the oration at Ardboe on Easter Monday.

Speaking at the launch of the commemorative programme of events in the Garden of Remembrance last Friday evening, the chair of the organising committee, Sean Begley said:

‘This year marks the 95th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. Nationally and internationally thousands of Republicans will mobilise to remember this defining moment in Irish history. ‘In this part of Ireland, the Tyrone Sinn Féin Commemoration Committee has organised over forty mobilisations throughout the county to mark this anniversary and to commemorate all Republicans who have played their part in every generation in the struggle for Irish freedom. Also speaking at the launch, were the Sinn Féin chairs of Tyrone’s 4 councils – Michelle O Neill, John Mc Namee, Micheala Boyle and Declan Mc Aleer. Cllr O Neill said ‘This is a hugely important and symbolic year for Republicans. Not only are we commemorating the 95th anniversary of the Rising, we are also remembering the 30th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strike when 10 Republican volunteers laid down their lives in defiance of Britain’s attempt to label them as criminals. ‘It is therefore fitting that the National Hunger Strike exhibition will be on display in the Cornmill, Coalisland on Good Friday and Easter Saturday and in the Patrician on Easter Sunday following the county parade in Carrickmore.

Also speaking at the launch, the Chair of Cookstown Council, John Mc Namee said ‘In every generation, Tyrone has played its part to the full in the struggle for Irish freedom. It is imperative upon us all to salute the huge sacrifice that people from this county have made. ‘In particular, this includes the families of the 56 IRA volunteers of the Tyrone Brigade and the 3 Sinn Féin activists who laid down their lives in the most recent phase of struggle. They and their families are always uppermost in our minds, particularly at Easter time.

The chair of Omagh Council, Declan Mc Aleer said

‘The commemoration committee have put together a wide range of events this Easter to celebrate and commemorate the sacrifice of those who have laid down their lives. In addition to the county and local commemorations, we also have exhibitions and street theatre. ‘The story of the hunger strike will be told through the National exhibition which will be on display in Coalisland and Carrickmore over Easter weekend. In addition to this, and due to unprecedented popular demand, we have decided to organise the street theatre again this year.

‘The street theatre will re enact the scene which unfolded at the GPO on Easter Monday 1916. When we did this last year, the feedback was hugely positive, so we have decided to re enact this particular scene this year. The play is quite emotive, but also a very effective way for people of all ages to learn at firsthand what occurred at the GPO in 1916, and its aftermath. The re enactment will commence at 2.45pm.

The chair of Strabane District Council, Michaela Boyle said ‘I am asking that you pay tribute to Irelands patriot dead by making a special effort to attend the county commemorations and as many local commemorations as possible. ‘In addition to attending the various events planned, I am calling on nationally minded people to proudly wear the Easter lily. The lily is our national emblem and is a very public expression of respect for those who have given their lives in the cause of Irish freedom in 1916 and in every decade since’.