CAVAN
Redhills
The County Cavan Sinn Féin Easter Commemoration took place this year in Killoughter Cemetery, Redhills. Chairing the proceedings, Councillor Charlie Boylan paid tribute to the memory of local man, Michael O'Reilly, who died on 17 December 1921 at the age of 22
Giving the oration at Killoughter Cemetery was Louth TD Arthur Morgan. Addressing the current crisis in the Peace Process, Deputy Morgan reaffirmed Sinn Féin's commitment to remaining with this process.
Echoing the recent words of Gerry Adams, Arthur Morgan said that the spirit of people like Michael O'Reilly and all those who have died are with us in the daily battles and in every advance of our struggle. He urged all present to get out over the next four weeks and help make the upcoming Assembly election the best ever election for Sinn Féin, to help increase our strength in the negotiations and help take us further down the road to Irish unity.
CORK
Bandon
The commemoration at the Republican Plot at Bandon Cemetery was well attended this year. A very fine oration was given by Daithí Mac an Bhaird. The chairperson of Charlie Hurley Cumman, DJ O'Driscoll thanked everybody for the huge effort made by the members once again.
Clonakilty
Paul Hayes, Cathaoirleach of the Vol. Martin Doherty Cumann, welcomed everyone to the Clonakilty commemoration on Sunday, especially the family of the late Paddy Harte, who died recently. Paddy's daughter, Laoise Harte, laid the wreath at the Tadhg an Astna Monument, which was followed by a lament on the pipes by Diarmuid Milner. The main oration was delivered by local councillor Cionnaith ó Súilleabháin.
He praised the contribution of the IRA to the struggle for freedom and peace in Ireland over the last three decades, calling them "The successors of the men and women of 1916".
Quoting James Connolly, he said "Never had man or woman a grander cause. Never was a cause more grandly served", Cllr. ó Súilleabháin encouraged more people to get involved in the Sinn Féin party.
He asked people to reflect on the "betrayal of Pearse and Connolly" by politicians of other parties, in particular the current government who have treated their people with contempt since the election. "It is a betrayal of those who made the supreme sacrifice that Governments jets and Mercs are more important than hospital beds and cancer services. It is a scandal that children and teachers still work in schools that should have been demolished 50 years ago."
Cork City
The city commemoration was chaired by Henry Cremin and led by the Youghal RFB.
Addressing a large crowd, Martin Ferris TD, the main speaker said: "Unionism's inability to come to terms with change is at the heart of this crisis in the peace process.
"We in Sinn Féin have done our utmost to see the Agreement implemented. As we stand here in Cork, contacts are still continuing with the two governments. Sinn Féin is attempting to build on the significant gains made over the past few weeks and the opportunity presented by the clear and unambiguous IRA statement presented to both governments.
"In the light of all this it is particularly inappropriate that Bertie Ahern should use the 87th anniversary of the 1916 rising to focus attention on republicans rather than the root cause of the problem, the unionist inability to face change and the British government's acquiescence to a unionist veto."
Youghal
A big crowd attended the Easter Rising Commemoration in Youghal, and was joined by the Youghal Republican Flute Band. The proceedings were chaired by Eileen Griffin and Sinn Féin Ard Comhairle member David Cullinane gave the oration.
He remembered all those who had given their lives for Irish freedom and contrasted the idealism of 1916 with the cynicism of some of our modern day politicians.
The Proclamation was read by Cllr Martin Hallinan.
DONEGAL
Drumboe
Over 1,500 republicans from West Tyrone and Donegal attended the annual Easter Commemoration at Drumboe on Sunday.
This year's events marked the 80th Anniversary of the execution by Free State Forces of IRA Volunteers Charlie Daly, Dan Enright and Tim O Sullivan, from County Kerry, and Seán Larkin from South Derry in the woods of Drumboe.
The parade, lead by a republican colour party and four bands, made its way from Johnston's Corner through Stranorlar and Ballybofey, and after a wreathlaying ceremony at the Republican Monument, the large crowd proceeded to the execution site at the woods of Drumboe.
Veronica Molloy, chairperson of the Tirconaill Commemoration Committee, chaired the day's event.
At the beginning of a wide-ranging oration, Bairbre de Brún paid tribute to the memory of the Drumboe Martyrs and all those who have given their lives for Irish freedom in this and previous generations:
"The Drumboe Martyrs lost their lives opposing the partition of Ireland and the injustice, inequality and instability that this prolonged for a further two generations. In our generation too, Irishmen and women have given their lives for freedom. Many of us here will have our own memories of them as we stand here today."
In reference to the current difficulties in the Peace Process Bairbre de Brún said: "Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams again met with the two governments last weekend. They met with Bertie Ahern, and Gerry Adams spoke again at length with the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. The final copy of the IRA statement was passed to the two governments.
"The following day Martin and Gerry travelled to Belfast where they met David Trimble and the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party, who were shown a copy of the IRA statement. Gerry Adams has re-iterated again and again that this statement is clear and unambiguous."
Bairbre concluded by saying, "Our peace strategy has delivered the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement. It has been republicans who have driven the changes we have witnessed in recent years, and it is republicans who will continue to drive the process of change. Sinn Fein will continue to challenge those elements within the British system and within unionism who are opposed to change. Our message on the doorsteps is one of equality, justice, peace and freedom."
Large numbers of local republicans also attended graveside ceremonies in Strabane, Cranagh and Aghyaran on Sunday to commemorate their republican dead.
DOWN
Downpatrick
With a light rain falling on and off, a colour party, accompanied by the Felons pipe band and a local flute band from Kilkeel, led the procession. Sinn Féin's Pat McNamee addressed the gathered crowd, welcoming everyone and paying tribute to the fallen heros of the area.
McNamee also extended solidarity greetings to republican prisoners in Castlereagh and Colombia.
"Niall Connolly, Martin McAuley and Jim Monaghan will be spending Easter in a jail in a country under a repressive regime far away from their homes and families," he said, as the crowd erupted into supportive applause. "We should let them know that they are not forgotten."
Speaking of the current political situation, McNamee said: "It is clear that the two governments have delayed their response because the Ulster Unionists have yet to make their minds up on what they are prepared to do. Any one political party cannot veto the future of this process."
He spoke of the upcoming election and acknowledged the contributions of councellor Mick Murphy who won a seat for Sinn Féin in the elections to negotiations in 1996. He also pointed out that South Down now has three candidates selected to contest the Assembly election.
Newry
On Sunday, a large crowd assembled outside the Sinn Féin Centre in Patrick Street to attend the annual Easter Commemoration Parade in Newry.
The parade was led by a 15-person Colour Party and accompanied by two bands, The Martin Doherty Flute Band from Scotland and the Banna Fliúit Naoimh Phádraig band from Kilkeel. Many people commented on the large numbers of young people and children in attendance, which gave the parade a very family-friendly atmosphere.
At the graveside, Councillor Brendan Curran chaired the proceedings and Councillor Charlie Casey read the annual Easter massage.
The main speaker was delivered by Sinn Féin Assembly candidate, Councillor Davy Hyland.
GALWAY
Galway City
This Easter saw the biggest ever Sinn Féin Easter Commemoration in Galway City and County. Two hundred people gathered on Sunday at the Liam Mellows monument in Eyre Square for the proceedings which were chaired by Daniel Callanan of Galway Sinn Féin. He condemned the failure of the Dublin government to promote a national day of celebration to honour the men and women of 1916 and successive generations who made the ultimate sacrifice in order to achieve independence.
The main oration was given by Pat Doherty, the Vice-President of Sinn Féin and MP for West Tyrone. He called for the immediate publication of the Joint Declaration prepared by the two governments.
A march to Bohermore Cemetary followed, where a wreath was laid at the grave of Míchéal Breathnach, fittingly by his grand daughter, Maura Walsh. The proceedings came to an end with the playing by a piper of Amhrán na bhFiann.
Ballinasloe
On Easter Monday a crowd of a hundred gathered in Ballinasloe cemetery at the grave of Volunteer Noel MacCann, where the oration was given by ex-POW Ella O'Dwyer. Also an Easter Monday there were wreath-laying ceremonies in North Connamara, including at the monument to Thomas Whelan, who was executed in Mountjoy Jail. Daniel Callanan gave the main oration and a wreath was laid by Tommy Whelan, a nephew of the martyr.
LIMERICK
Limerick City
Around 100 people attended the annual Sinn Féin 1916 commemoration in Limerick last Sunday. The march assembled outside the main gates of Mount St. Laurence Cemetery and proceeded to the Republican Plot, where the Vice-Chair of Limerick Sinn Féin, Maurice Quinlivan, chaired proceedings.
The main speaker was Sinn Féin Councillor Pat Treanor, chairperson of Clones Town Council in County Monaghan and National Organiser of Sinn Féin.
Pat paid tribute to the men and women of 1916 and also to Limerick republican Sean Sabhat. He praised the Volunteers of óglaigh na héireann and called for the release of political prisoners in Castlerea, and of the Colombia Three.
Pat said there will be a united Ireland but republicans recognise their responsibility to guarantee the rights of unionists also. He said "it is the people who must bring about change. Sinn Féin is nothing without each individual activist member of our party and without each individual cumann".
He told the crowd that Sinn Féin needed its activists from the south to travel to the Six Counties to ensure a successful Assembly Election.
He urged people to attend the Hunger Strike rally in Belfast on 4 May, and to get involved in the upcoming elections.
Athea
Over 50 people attended the West Limerick Commemoration in Athea on Sunday, which was chaired by Coireal MacCurtain. Pat Treanor, was the main orator.
Martinstown/Kilmallock
The first republican commemoration to be held in this area for many years took place at the grave of Volunteer Paddy Clancy in Molua Cemetery and was attended by over 70 people.
Easter Monday
Wreath laying ceremonies were held at Republican graves in Rath Liuirc and Colmanswell.
LOUTH
Drogheda
Drogheda's biggest Easter Commemoration parade in recent years was headed by the largest colour party since 1966. A 22-person colour party led the march down the Mornington Road.
Chairing the proceedings at the Halpin/Moran Monument was Drogheda Sinn Féin Chairperson Matthew Coogan.
In his speech, Aengus ó Snodaigh TD congratulated the people of Drogheda and Louth for achieving a spectacular goal in the election of Arthur Morgan last year. "As republicans we don't sit on our laurels, we set ourselves goals, achieve them and then set the next target.
"When have you heard a discussion about a United Ireland amongst Fine Gaelers or Fianna Fáilers? When have they ever planned the road map to a United Ireland? Never." He also paid tribute to Volunteer Keith Rogers who died at the hands of criminals recently, and said his dedication and commitment was an example to us all.
ROSCOMMON
County Roscommon republicans gathered in the North of the County at Loughglynn on Easter Sunday. Volunteers Michael Carty, James Mulrennan and Patrick Glynn, who died in the Tan War, and Eugene Kelly and Pat Mulrennan, who died in the Civil War, were remembered during the ceremony chaired by Michael Mulligan of Roscommon Sinn Féin Comhairle Ceantair.
The main speaker was Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle member Mícheál MacDonncha. Responding to the remarks of Bertie Ahern in Dublin that morning, MacDonncha said the Taoiseach had "used the gravesides of the executed leaders of 1916 to falsely accuse republicans of responsibility for the current impasse in the peace process".
SLIGO
Sligo republicans assembled at Sligo City Hall on Easter Sunday afternoon for the county commemoration. The march to Sligo Cemetery was led by a well-drilled colour party who paused and paid their respects at the graveside of Volunteer Joe MacManus before parading to the main ceremony at the Republican Plot.
The main oration was delivered by former POW and recently elected Ard Comhairle member Martina Anderson.
Chairing the ceremony, Ard Comhairle member Cllr Chris MacManus urged those present 'to become involved in the forthcoming Assembly elections in the Six Counties".
Earlier in the day wreath laying ceremony took place in Ballisodare at the graveside of Martin Savage, killed at Ashtown Road in 1919.
TYRONE
Carrickmore
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams gave the main oration at the Easter commemoration at Carrickmore, County Tyrone, on Sunday.
Adams last spoke at Carrickmore five years ago, a few days after the Good Friday Agreement was achieved.
Speaking to the large crowd, he said that Ireland's struggle for freedom had produced many heroes, men and women of enormous courage and self-sacrifice who were and 'are prepared to give everything in the cause of Irish freedom'.
"As we honour the men and women of 1916, let us also remember all of those republicans who in this and previous generations gave their lives for Irish freedom. We remember in particular republican patriots from County Tyrone and pay tribute to them.
Speaking about republicanism, Adams said that Sinn Féin, as a republican party wants, "a society in which there is a redistribution of wealth for the wellbeing of the aged, for the advancement of youth, for the liberation of women and the protection of our children.
"Our republicanism is about change, fundamental, deep-rooted change. It's about empowering people to make that change. That means we have to be agents of change."
The Sinn Féin president then moved on to talk about the party's electoral strategy.
"Sinn Féin has grown through hard work, determination and strategic planning.
We are closer now than ever to delivering our goals because we have increased our political strength election after election.
"The introduction of the new registration system is designed to stem the growth of our political strength and our capacity to deliver a united Ireland. Don't let them away with this in May. With this in mind make every vote count.
Adams also dealt with the issue on everyone's mind this week, the peace process.
"As everyone knows Sinn Féin and the two governments have been involved in intensive discussions in an effort to find a resolution to the current impasse. Sinn Féin has stated our opposition to sanctions, which are outside the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
"And while we have criticised the Irish government on this issue, I have to acknowledge that the Irish government, the Taoiseach and some of the senior officials, have played a particularly active role over the recent period. They have persisted when others were less resilient.But one of the principal difficulties is the way that unionists have left the main negotiations to the British. This brings a fault line into the process.
"Unionists need to stand on their own feet. We want to do a deal with them.
The big question is do they want to do a deal with us at this time?
"Unionists say they want clarity and certainty from republicans. Let me tell you that what the IRA is saying to them is very clear indeed. It is unprecedented, to the point that perhaps some of you may think the Army has gone too far. What unionists actually want is a surrender. What we want is for everyone to keep to their commitments and for a negotiated process of conflict resolution to be brought to completion. And that includes certainty and clarity about future UUP intentions.
"The SDLP have also been absent from the negotiation. Instead, for short-term party political advantage, they have engaged in attacks on Sinn Féin, replicating the UUP demands while making no similar call for the UUP to make its position clear. Some of the comments of senior SDLP spokespersons would make Jeffrey Donaldson look like a moderate.
The Sinn Féin leader also spoke on the issue of collusion and the publication of the Stevens' Report.
"The publication of the Stevens' Report brought a media focus again to the issue of collusion. Watching it being reported, it was as if the media and other political representatives were hearing about this for the first time.
"Their words of shock and horror that the state was involved in killing citizens, through the use of agents within unionist death squads, will have offended many nationalists and republicans. Across this island there are countless families who have suffered at first hand from the activities of these agents, and the agencies who were responsible for their actions.
"Collusion was planned, organised and politically cleared at the highest levels. It was widespread in the 1970s with a variety of British agencies including the Military Reaction Force, the 39th Brigade Intelligence, as well as the Special Branch, all engaged in providing information, training and weapons to kill citizens.
Those who carried out the Dublin and Monaghan bomb attacks, or who killed Sinn Féin Councillor Eddie Fullerton in Donegal were part of this web of collusion that British agencies began constructing in the north from 1970. And here in County Tyrone we saw some of the most brutal and brazen examples of collusion. Pensioner Roseanne Mallon, Patrick Shanahan, Kathleen O'Hagan, Dermott Hackett and the four men from Cappagh, John Quinn, Dwayne O'Donnell, Malcolm Nugent, whose names are on the Tyrone Roll of Honour, and Thomas Armstrong.
"And Stevens is only the tip of the iceberg. So, we want to know, and the families of the victims have a right to know;
Who authorised this policy of assassination?
How many died as a result of it?
Where are those who authorised this now?
Will they be held accountable?
d what steps are being taken to stop it?
Because the reality is that collusion is still going on.
Adams also used a section of his speech to specifically address the fears and concerns of unionism.
"There will be a united Ireland. And our task, and that of all sensible Irish political leaders, should be to prepare for reunification. I am not saying this to frighten or destabilise unionism but because I believe that many unionists also recognise the change that is taking place. Consequently, their fears and worries of the future must be addressed in a comprehensive manner.
"Many unionists are already very conscious of the way in which successive British governments and unionist leaderships used and abused and exploited them. Many look around at their unionist working class areas, which face enormous social and economic problems."
"We have to show them by our words and our actions, or our non actions, that Sinn Féin - that Irish republicanism, always a generous philosophy - is their future. That together we can build a future of equals on this island that empowers, and enriches and cherishes all the children of the nation equally."
Coalisland
Hundreds were able to enjoy the sunshine in Coalisland as they paid tribute to Ireland's fallen heroes on Easter Saturday.
The Easter procession was headed up by a lone piper and colour party who led the assembled crowd up the Brackaville Road to the local cemetery. The procession paused briefly to lay wreaths at the graves of several IRA volunteers before continuing on to the republican monument, which overlooks the town and the rolling green hills which surround it.
Event organizers read out the 1916 Proclaimation and the local Roll of Honour. Brian Keenan gave the oration, telling the crowd: "Easter comes to Ireland every year and I find I'm almost forced to think about the origins and the duration of this struggle for Irish freedom."
Keenan paid tribute to the decades of Irish men, women, and children who lost their lives in the fight for freedom, and remarked: "Today, here in Tyrone, we are very conscious of the Red Hand county having given over 50 of their best in this struggle."
d he commented on the current policing debate, saying: "Of course society needs a policing service, but that service has to be accountable to the people. At the moment for me it is a non-event because the threshold of acceptability and accountability is not there.
"People who don't know republicans think that we glory in war, but we don't believe in permanent war. What we believe in is permanent struggle - until we achieve the objectives of the Proclaimation.
"The Ireland we want is an Ireland of equals, where we will cherish all of the children. We will give civil and religious liberties to all of our people, and the wealth of the nation will be shared equally."
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