Charlie McGlade Commemoration held in Dublin

THE 33rd anniversary of the death of Volunteer Charlie McGlade was held in Drimnagh, Dublin, on Saturday 19 September.

A republican colour party led a procession along Mourne Road with the Finglas Historical Society in uniforms of the Irish Volunteers.

The good weather brought a lot of people out to their doors, taking photographs and clapping as the Rising Phoenix Republican Flute Band played the tunes.

At the McGlade Family home, the flags were lowered before continuing to Errigal Park where Cathoirleach Ian McBride welcomed everyone and spoke of the preparations and importance of the Easter 1916 Rising.

Sinn Féin Councillor Greg Kelly read the Dublin Roll of Honour and a brief history of Charlie McGlade. A minute's silence followed and there was a wreath laid on behalf of the local Sinn Féin cumann by Jim Monaghan.

Councillor Máire Devine recited Pádraig Pearse's oration at the graveside of O'Donovan Rossa.

The main speaker Aengus Ó Snodaigh, TD for Dublin South Central. Aengus spoke of how the state was embarrassed into commemorating O'Donovan Rossa and had no intention at the start of the year. He compared the state's re-enactment to Sinn Féin's. “What we do differently is that we invite and include people, make it broad-based instead of an elite, select few,” he said.

He urged people to get involved and support local and national events for the 1916 centenary through community-based events, talks, exhibitions and commemorations.