12 July 2007 Edition

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Large crowd attends Kilcoo Cumann launch

Members of the Colm Mark’s Cumann pictured with Colm’s mother Roisin, ex POW Marcas Mac Ruairí and local Sinn Féin Councillor Frank McDowell

Members of the Colm Mark’s Cumann pictured with Colm’s mother Roisin, ex POW Marcas Mac Ruairí and local Sinn Féin Councillor Frank McDowell

Peter Kelly, the Chairperson of the newly formed Colm Marks Cumann, Sinn Féin, speaking after the official launch of the Kilcoo Cumann in Castlewellan last Saturday night, said that the growth of republicanism throughout South Down was “very encouraging and is reflected in the number of people who have applied to join Sinn Féin in recent months”.
A number of events were held to mark the occasion starting with the play Death of an IRA volunteer which was performed to an appreciative audience after an introduction by playwrite Rosaleen Walsh who spoke about the importance of keeping alive the truth about the conflict.
Local ex-POW Marcas Mac Ruairí give a very moving talk reflecting on his personal experiences with IRA Volunteer Colum Marks who was shot dead by the RUC in controversial circumstances in Downpatrick in 1991. Colm’s mother Roisin was then presented with an engraved granite plaque on behalf of Kilcoo Sinn Féin by Councillor Frank McDowell and a bouquet of flowers by local activist Caroline O’Hare.
The monthly development draw then took place with a number of lucky winners each receiving £200. Irish traditional group Seanachie brought a great night to an end.

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