Top Issue 1-2024

20 April 2014

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Video - Hundreds take part in Dublin Easter Rising commemoration

A portion of the crowd makes its way down O'Connell Street behind a Cumann na mBan banner

HUNDREDS of republicans gathered at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin and marched to the GPO on Easter Sunday to remember the sacrifice of all those who gave their lives in pursuit of Irish freedom.

Those taking part included Sinn Féin TD, councillors, members and local election candidates, relatives of IRA volunteers who had died in the most recent phase of the struggle and also descendants of those who fought during 1916 and the Tan War.

Particular attention was focused on the role of women in the struggle for Irish freedom as this year marks the centenary of the founding of Cumann na mBan.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams TD delivered the main speech during which he criticised plans to destroy much of historical Moore Street:

"In a sad metaphor of the state we live in, the buildings that survived British bombardment in 1916 now face destruction from property developers who plan to reduce it to rubble and build a shopping centre in its place."

Adams said Sinn Féin was extremely concerned with the threat to the last headquarters of the Provisional Government of the Irish Republic:

"Let us send a very clear message to the Government that it should ensure the full preservation of the National Monument and to develop a plan to transform the GPO/Moore Street area into a historic quarter."

Gerry Adams also used the event to hit out at the Labour Party, saying he did not believe James Connolly would stand over the actions of that party in Government.

In a nod towards recent opinion polls which shows a strong performance by the party in the South, he said:

"The one party state in the North is over. The two-and-half party state in the South, that's over too. Sinn Féin are here and let me warn the elites, you haven't seen anything yet!", he told a cheering crowd.

The Louth TD ended with a call for people to work towards building a critical mass in support of Irish unity, and towards making the ideals of the Proclamation a reality.

The march was let by the Dublin Republican Colour Party and accompanied by the Rising Phoenix Republican Flute Band. Music was also provided by Fintan Warfield. The event was chaired by EU candidate Lynn Boylan and a wreath was laid by Noeleen Reilly.

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Contributions from key figures in the churches, academia and wider civic society as well as senior republican figures

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