Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Belfast Remembers 1916

Upwards of 500 people gathered in Belfast on Easter Monday [April 5] to remember all those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish freedom.

Milltown procession

Assembling at the gates of Milltown Cemetery on the Falls Road, the marchers made their way to the Harbinson republican plot led by the Kilkeel republican flute band, where proceedings got underway.

Harbinson Plot

éirígí national vice-chairperson Rab Jackson chaired the event and began by highlighting the plight of the republican prisoners in Maghaberry Jail, who had begun a protest against appalling conditions.

The Proclamation of the Irish Republic was read by former Armagh political prisoner Maire Drumm, before wreaths were laid on behalf of éirígí’s ciorcal naisiúnta, éirígí Béal Feirste and republican ex-prisoners.

Maire  Drumm

The main oration was read by one-time blanketman and former chair of the Belfast National Graves Association Pádraic Mac Coitir.

Pádraic Mac Coitir

To read the full text of Mac Coitir’s speech, click here.

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