East Down Ogra play key role in Easter commemorations

East Down Ogra Shinn Fein played a key role in Easter parades across the county, including Newcastle, Castlewellan and Downpatrick. The Ogra colour party lead the parade in Newcastle and Downpatrick and followed the senior colour party in the Castlewellan march. The colour party consisting of activists from Kilcoo, Newcastle and Ballynahinch proudly marched in commemoration of Irelands patriot dead and sought to show to the public that Irelands youth would continue to play a pivotal role in the struggle for re-unification.

Speaking on behalf of the colour party a spokesperson from Ballynahinch said,

“It is of the up most importance that the Ogra continue to remember our fallen comrades. Through the Easter celebrations we continue to show that the republican cause will not fade and that we will work to build upon the foundations that were set in the 1916 rising. I think that Ogra leading the parades is also reflective of how important youth is to the ongoing struggle, it is our generation that will continue the fight in the future and the onus is on us to ensure a greater interest by young people to get involved.

Among the commemorations in Castlewellan was also the unveiling of a new monument remembering the volunteers of South Down who gave their lives in active service. East Down Ogra Shinn Fein would like to congratulate the South Down Graves association for the good work they have done with the monument and in making sure that the South Down roll of honour is giving a fitting public memorial.