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2 April 2009 Edition

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'Wear an Easter Lily' drive launched in Stormont

SINN FÉIN’S Assembly Team gathered at the party offices in Stormont on Tuesday to launch this year’s drive encouraging citizens to honour Ireland’s dead and wear an Easter Lily.
The event was launched by Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy MP, MLA, who said:,
“At this time of year, all around Ireland, Irish republicans gather to remember our patriot dead. We also use the Easter period to recommit ourselves to our republican objectives.
“The Easter Lily is a symbol of our struggle and our annual campaign encouraging citizens to wear it began today.
“I would encourage people to honour Ireland’s dead by wearing an Easter Lily. I would also urge them to attend local commemorations throughout the country.”

 

The Easter Lily

We would encourage everyone, young and old to wear the Lily at Easter as a national emblem that promotes the ideals of those patriots who died in Easter 1916 and since – Ireland united and independent with peace between Orange and Green

The Easter Lily, with its colours of green, white and orange is a symbol long associated with the Easter Rising of 1916 and one with a long and fascinating history.
The first Easter Lily badges were designed in 1925 by the republican women’s organisation, Cumann na mBan. The dual purpose of the badge was to raise money for the Republican Prisoners’ Dependents Fund and to honour the sacrifice made by the men and women of the 1916 Rising.
A year later, the Easter Lily Commemoration Committee was formed. It continued in existence until 1965. One of its founder members was Sighle Humphreys.
The original Easter Lily badge was hand-made by republicans, who sold it often at great risk throughout the country.
Traditionally, Easter Lilies were sold outside church gates on Easter Sunday and worn at republican commemorations. In the early years of their existence, people from a broad political spectrum – from Fianna Fáil to Sinn Féin, the IRA and Fianna Éireann promoted the Lily as did non-political organisations such as Conradh na Gaeilge.

stop selling
In February 1935, the Fianna Fáil leadership instructed the party to stop selling the Lily as it was “the symbol of an organisation of whose methods we disapprove”. For its Easter commemorations that same year, Fianna Fáil introduced a new symbol called the ‘Easter Torch’. This was sold for a number of years but was discontinued as the badge proved unpopular with the party grassroots, many of whom continued to wear the Easter Lily.
Since the 1930s, successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments attempted to suppress sales of the Easter Lily. Over the decades many republicans have been harassed, arrested and jailed for keeping alive the memory of the men and women of the Easter Rising through promotion of the Easter Lily.
After the 1969/70 republican split the so-called ‘Officials’ produced a new type of Easter Lily with a self-adhesive backing that lead to members of the ‘Official’ IRA and ‘Official’ Sinn Féin – later the Workers’ Party, being referred to as “Stickies”. Sinn Féin  and those organising republican commemorations continued to promote the traditional paper and pin Easter Lily.
Today, republicans continue to honour the heroic sacrifice made in 1916, when republican revolutionaries, outnumbered and ill-equipped, took on the might of the British empire and asserted in arms Ireland’s right to freedom.
Irish republicans wear the Easter Lily to honour all those who have given their lives in the cause of Irish freedom in 1916 and in every decade since.
We would encourage everyone, young and old to wear the Lily at Easter as a national emblem that promotes the ideals of those patriots who died in Easter 1916 and since – Ireland united and independent with peace between Orange and Green. 

 

1916 Easter Commemorations 2009

Honour Ireland’s patriot dead – Wear an Easter Lily and  Attend your local commemoration

ANTRIM

•    Toomebridge – 4pm Tuesday.

ARMAGH

•    Portadown – Lunchtime Saturday. Speaker: Jennifer McCann.
•    Mullaghbawn – 6pm Saturday. Speaker: Bairbre de Brún.
•    Camlough – 10.30am Sunday. Speaker: Paul Maskey.
•    Crossmaglen – 11am Sunday. Speaker: Cárál Ní Chuilín.
•    Derrymacash – 11.30am Sunday. Speaker: John O’Dowd.
•    Dromintee –  1.30pm Sunday.  Speaker: Paul Butler.
•    Ballymacnab –  2pm Sunday.  Speaker: Cathal Boylan.
•    Lurgan –  2.30pm Sunday.  Speaker: Gerry Kelly.
•    Cullyhanna –  4.30pm Sunday.  Speaker: Francie Molloy.
•    Armagh City –  2.30pm Monday. Speaker: John O’Dowd
•    Beleek –  4pm Monday. Speaker: Barry McElduff.

BELFAST

•    Whitewell – 2pm Saturday.
•    Carrickhill – 10.45am Sunday.
•    Greater Andersonstown – 11am Sunday.
•    Belfast (Main), Beechmount Avenue – 1pm Sunday. Speaker: Gerry Adams.
•    New Lodge – 1pm Monday.
•    Ardoyne – 1pm Tuesday.
•    Ballymurphy – 2pm Tuesday
•    Greater New Barnsley – 3pm Tuesday
Wreath Laying ceremonies: Saturday: Colin – 6pm. Sunday: Clonard – 12.15pm. 

CARLOW/KILKENNY

•    Mooncoin – 12pm Saturday. Speaker: Kathleen Funchion.
•    Kilkenny City – 3pm Saturday. Speaker: Kathleen Funchion.

CAVAN

•    Ballyconnell – 3pm Monday. Speaker: Martin Kenny.

CLARE

•    Ennis – 2pm Sunday.

CORK

•    Bantry – 7.30pm Saturday.
•    Youghal – 11am Sunday. Toireasa Ferris
•    Clonakilty – 12:30pm Sunday.
•    Bandon – 12.30 Sunday.
•    Cork City – 2pm Sunday.  Speaker: Toireasa Ferris.
•    Cobh – 3pm Monday.

DERRY

•    Shantallow – 11am Sunday.
•    Creggan – 1pm Sunday.
•    Bogside monument – 1pm Sunday.
•    Waterside monument – 1pm Sunday.
•    Derry City – 2.30pm Sunday. Speaker: Conor Murphy.
•    The Loup, Main County Commemoration – 2.30pm Sunday. Speaker: Francie Molloy.
•    Dungiven – 12pm Sunday. Speaker: Raymond McCartney.
•    Swatragh – 2.30 pm Monday.  Speaker: Bairbre de Brún.

DONEGAL

•    Buncrana – 12am Sunday. Speaker: Francie Brolly.
•    Drumboe – 3pm Sunday. Speaker: Pat Doherty.
•    Letterkenny – 11am Sunday. Speaker: Mick Quinn.
•    Glencolmcille – 11.30am Sunday. Speaker: Jim McLaughlin.
•    Drumoghill – 12pm Sunday. Speaker: Mick Quinn.
•    Castlefin – 12pm Sunday. Speaker: Cora Harvey.
•    Gweedore – 12.15pm Sunday. Speaker: John Sheamais Ó Fearraigh.
•    Carrigart – 12.30pm Monday. Speaker: Mick Quinn.
•    Pettigo – 3pm Monday. Speaker: Pearse Doherty.
Wreath Laying ceremonies: Sunday: Drumkeen – 12pm

DOWN

•    Newry – 12.30pm Sunday. Speaker: Michelle Gildernew.
•    Castlewellan – 4pm Sunday. Speaker: Bairbre de Brún.
•    Downpatrick – 6.30pm Monday. Speaker: Mickey Brady.

DUBLIN

•    Arbour Hill – 1pm Friday.
•    Ballyfermot – 11am Saturday.
•    Crumlin – 2pm Saturday.
•    Glasnevin – 12am Sunday.
•    Garden of Remembrance (Main) – 1.30pm Sunday. Speaker: Mary Lou McDonald.
•    City Quay – 11am Monday.
•    Dún Laoghaire – 2pm Monday. Speaker: Mary Lou McDonald.

FERMANAGH

•    Donagh – 2.30pm Sunday. Speaker: Martin McGuinness.

GALWAY

•    Ballinasloe – 2pm Saturday. Speaker: Arthur Morgan.
•    Tuam – 5pm Saturday. Speaker: Arthur Morgan.
•    Galway City – 3pm Sunday. Speaker: Arthur Morgan.
•    Ros Muc – 12pm Monday. Speaker Gráinne Mhic Géidigh.
•    Clifton – 3pm Monday. Speaker Gráinne Mhic Géidigh.

KERRY

•    Tralee – 1pm Sunday. Speaker: Martin Ferris.

LAOIS

•    Portlaoise – 3pm Sunday. Speaker: Daithí McKay.

LEITRIM

•    Mohill – 3pm Sunday. Speaker: Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD.

LIMERICK

•    Limerick City – 12.30pm Sunday. Speaker: Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD.
•    West Limerick – 3pm Sunday. Speaker: Maurice Quinlivan.

LONGFORD

•    Longford Town – 3pm Sunday. Speaker: Seán Mac Brádaigh.

LOUTH

•    Drogheda – 11am Sunday. Speaker: Tomás Sharkey.
•    Dundalk – 2.30pm Sunday. Speaker: Tomás Sharkey.

MAYO

•    Achill – 10am Sunday. Speaker: Caitríona Ruane.
•    Balla – 2.30pm Sunday. Speaker Caitríona Ruane.

MEATH

Oldcastle – 4pm Saturday. Speaker: Tomás Sharkey.

MONAGHAN

•    Inniskeen – 2:30pm Saturday.  Speaker: Pádraig Mac Lochlainn.
•    Monaghan Town – 3pm Sunday Speaker: Mitchel McLaughlin.
•    Scotshouse – 12am Monday.
•    Clones – 2pm Monday.

ROSCOMMON

•    Loughglynn Cemetery – 2pm Monday. Speaker: Daithí McKay.

SLIGO

•    Sligo – 3pm Sunday. Speaker: Pádraig Mac Lochlainn.

TIPPERARY

•    Nenagh – 5pm Saturday Speaker: Cllr Seamus Morris.
•    Thurles – 12pm Sunday. Speaker: Ella O’Dwyer.
•    Fethard – 3pm Sunday.

TYRONE

•    Coalisland Square – 3pm Saturday. Speaker: Seán Hughes.
•    Aughnagar – 9.30am Sunday.
•    Greencastle – 9.30am Sunday.
•    Altmore – 10am Sunday.
•    Cranagh – 10.30am Sunday.
•    Galbally – 10.30am Sunday.
•    Dunmoyle – 10.45am Sunday.
•    Edendork – 10.45am Sunday.
•    Tullysaran – 10.45am Sunday.
•    Broughderg – 11.30am Sunday.
•    Donaghmore – 11.30am Sunday.
•    Pomeroy – 11.30am Sunday.
•    Rock – 11.30am Sunday.
•    Aghyaran – 12pm Sunday.
•    Eglish – 12pm Sunday.
•    Kildress – 12.15pm Sunday.
•    Loughmacrory – 12.15pm Sunday.
•    Clonoe – 12.30pm Sunday.
•    Drumragh – 1.15pm Sunday.
•    Carrickmore, Main County Commemoration – 3pm Sunday. Speaker: Barry McElduff.
•    Ardboe – 2pm Monday. Speaker: Seán Murray.
Wreath Laying ceremonies: Saturday: Strathroy – 5.30pm. Moy – 6pm. Killclogher – 7pm. Drumragh – 7.45pm. Sunday: Ardboe. Ballinderry. Ardboe Old Cross. Castlederg. Cookstown. Dromore. Dunamore. Dunngannon (Carland Rd). Fintona. Moortown. Trillick. Seskinore.

WATERFORD

•    Ardmore – 3pm Sunday. Speaker: Joe Reilly.

WESTMEATH

•    Mullingar – 3pm Monday. Speaker: Pádraig Mac Lochlainn.

WEXFORD

•    Wexford Town – 12pm Sunday.  Speaker: Séan Crowe.
•    Enniscorthy – 2.30pm Monday. Speaker: Martin Ferris.

 


Any further details of Easter commemorations should be sent to [email protected] on or before Monday, 6 April

The deadline for Easter commemoration reports and photographs (JPEG format only) is 11am Tuesday 14 April 2009. email: [email protected] 

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