Hundreds attend tribute to republican women from Donegal

HONOUREES: Eleven women who have played a significant contribution to the republican struggle were honoured

LAST Friday 27 March, hundreds of people from across Donegal gathered in Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey, to commemorate the 86th Anniversary of the Drumboe Martyrs who were executed at the site of Drumboe Castle in 1923. Eleven women, who have played a significant contribution during their lifetime to the republican struggle, were honoured by fellow republicans on the night.
The women honoured were: Ann Rose Doherty West Donegal, Una Eakin Letterkenny, Winnie Coyle Carrigart, Mary Brolly Castlefinn, Marian Kelly Letterkenny, Rosie Diamond Letterkenny, Dyna Fullerton Inishowen, Una McIvor Creeslough, Bernadette Shiels Fanad, Christine Daly South Donegal and Siubhan Mhic Giolla Eoin West Tyrone.
Commenting on the event Sinn Féin Councillor Cora Harvey, who chaired the proceedings along with party colleague Udarás representative Gráinne Mhic Géidigh said:
“On Friday night we saw over five hundred people gather together to remember those who sacrificed their life in the pursuit of Irish freedom and to honour 11 women from Donegal and West Tyrone who paid a certain sacrifice during their lifetime for the Irish Republican Struggle.
“It was a great event, very uplifting, empowering and enjoyable. The newly formed Tir Chonaill Martyrs Band, who were very well received and Erin’s Own entertained the crowd. There was a large Sinn Féin representation present including Party President, Gerry Adams, Senator Pearse Doherty, the Sinn Féin candidate for the upcoming EU elections Councillor Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and all the Donegal Sinn Féin candidates for the local council elections. The main speaker of the night was Gerry Adams, who also presented the honourees with their presentations and made a special surprise presentation to Pat Doherty, who recently retired as Vice President of Sinn Féin”.
Gerry Adams said “It is from events such as these that people get reinvigorated and refocused. We remember the past with compassion and pride and we remember all those who sacrificed so much in pursuit of Irish freedom. We will never forget the hurt of the past or those who are no longer with us, however we will continue their objective through peaceful and democratic means and continue to move forward. The organising committee have worked tremendously hard over the past year to make this event a success and they have to be commended greatly as they certainly achieved their objective. It was a truly successful and memorable event”.