Belfast rallying call for Easter Sunday and 1916 Rising events

» Peadar Whelan

'Easter is also about remembering our patriot dead and their families who have carried a huge burden over the years'

LIAM SHANNON, chair of the National Graves Association, is calling on republicans from across Belfast to turn out this Easter Sunday to remember our patriot dead.

Speaking to An Phoblacht at the Republican Plot in Milltown Cemetery, Liam said that it is particularly important for people to make this year’s parade as big as possible as we are remembering the centenary of the founding of James Connolly’s Irish Citizen Army in 1913.

“We will have people dressed in period uniforms from the Citizen Army, Cumann na mBan and Na Fianna and Cumann na gCailiní,” Liam said. “So there will be a real historical feel to the pageantry this year.”

He went on to remind people:

“Easter is also about remembering our patriot dead and their families who have carried a huge burden over the years.

“So we are asking as many people as possible to come out and show their support and solidarity and to wear an Easter Lily as a mark of respect.”

Also see 2013 Easter commemorations