Emmet Commemorative Weekend in Newry

The O'Donovan Rossa Cultural Society, based in Newry hosted a Robert Emmet Bi-Centennial Commemorative Weekend series of cultural and historical events in the Newry & Mourne area last weekend. Events kicked off on Friday in the Arts Centre, Newry, with a photographic exhibition recalling the life and times of Robert Emmet.

On Saturday, there was a full day of workshops dealing with the language, music, song and dance for which the Rossa has built up a formidable reputation in the local area. That evening, the Rossa youth took part in a tree planting ceremony on the site of the former British Army base at Cloughogue Mountain as part of a Reclaim the Land campaign supported by the South Armagh Demilitarisation Committee.

That night, in the Crossmaglen Rangers GFC, acclaimed author Morgan Llewlyen, who has written many books on Irish history, gave a lecture on Robert Emmet. This was accompanied by the Rossa dancers, Irish traditional music and by several local storytellers.

On Sunday, a Robert Emmet Commemorative Tree was planted in Jack McClelland Park, Newry, by Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew. Elena Martin, Deputy Mayor on Newry & Mourne District Council officiated at the ceremony, accompanied by other local councillors.

Gildernew congratulated the Society for having organised such a full weekend of events to commemorate the memory of Robert Emmet.

"Robert Emmet is world renowned for having made his famous "speech from the dock" when sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered. I will conclude by quoting some lines from that speech," she said.

'Let no man write my epitaph: for as no man who knows my motives dare now vindicate them, let not prejudice or ignorance asperse them. Let them and me repose in obscurity and peace, and my tomb remain uninscribed, until other times, and other men, can do justice to my character; when my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then, and not till then, let my epitaph be written. I have done.'

"Let us all hope that his epitaph can be written in the very near future," said Gildernew.

Chairperson of O'Donovan Rossa Cultural Society Malachy Rafferty said this has been the most successful festival to date organised by the Rossa. "The Rossa Society was established in 1996 and our primary aim is to protect, promote and develop our Irish culture through the medium of language, music, song and dance in the Newry & Mourne area," he said. "We go forward with confidence to meet that challenge in the coming months and years ahead."

• The O'Donovan Rossa Cultural Society is compiling a Photographic Library of Republican Prisoners inside any prisons throughout the last 30 years of conflict. Anyone with photos please E-Mail copies to [email protected] or contact 07709449161.

Dublin honours Emmet

Hundreds of people turned out in at St Catherine`s Church, Thomas Street, Dublin, on Saturday last to mark the execution of United Irish leader Robert Emmet. Pictured are Philip Emmet 6th generation and Richard Stockton Emmet 5th generation, before laying a wreath to mark the 200th anniversary.

Also pictured is the block on which Emmet was beheaded,which was on display on the day.