1 May 2016
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
The Clonakilty Easter Commemoration Committee will mark the centenaries of the executions of the 1916 leaders who have streets named after them in Clonakilty, with simple remembrance ceremonies in their honour on those streets, starting next week.
On Tuesday 3rd May 2016, Pádraig Pearse will be remembered at the centre of Pearse St. across from O’Donovan’s Hotel at 8pm, followed by Tom Clarke at the area across from Fiddler’s Green bar at 8.30pm.
Willie Pearse, who was Pádraig’s brother, will be remembered at Pearse St. on Wednesday 4th at 8pm.
Kent St. (outside library), will be the location at 8pm on both the 8th and 9th when both Éamonn Ceannt and Thomas Kent will be remembered.
James Connolly will be remembered on the centenary of his execution on 12th May in Connolly St.
Roger Casement, who was the last of the leaders to be put to death by the Britiah Government in 1916, will be remembered on his anniversary on 3rd August.
The Clonakilty Easter Commemoration Committee, (which is a sub-committee of the local Sinn Féin cumann), has organised the annual 1916 commemoration in the town for the last 35 years, welcomes members of the public to each of these simple commemorations and in particular, residents of the streets in question.
On Easter Sunday last, the group organised its biggest commemoration to date with hundreds of people joining in a parade around the streets named after the executed leaders of the rising of 100 years ago. Many dressed in 1916-era costumes and the Proclamation was read and a wreath laid at the Michael Collins statue, symbolising that the Clon man was in the GPO during Easter Week.
