Sinn Féin Launch Easter Lily Campaign
Speaking today at the launch of the annual Easter Lily campaign in Stormont, Sinn Féin Assembly member Gerry Kelly said that this weekend would see tens of thousands of republicans taking part in marches, commemorations and wreath laying ceremonies across the island.
Mr Kelly said:
"This year marks the 89th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. It is an important time for Irish republicans. It is a time for remembering our friends and colleagues who have given their lives in pursuit of our republican ideals and goals. It is a time for reflecting on these ideals.
"We recall the words of the 1916 Proclamation - an historic document - one of the most progressive documents ever written. The Proclamation spells out the demand for social and economic justice and democracy, of cherishing all the children of the nation equally, irrespective of colour, religion, gender, ability or race, equally.
"Easter is also a time of renewal - a time when we as Irish republicans rededicate ourselves to the legitimate and achievable goals of independence and unity for the people of this island.
"The past year has undoubtedly been both a challenging and indeed very difficult, year for republicans and the peace process. We made a massive breakthrough in the elections in the 26 counties yet ended the last year with the failure once again of unionism to agree the share power on the basis of equality and respect.
"This year Easter comes with the political establishment set once again on a course of criminalizing the republican struggle and by extension our patriot dead. This weekend provides republicans with the opportunity to send a clear message that we are rightly proud of our heritage and our struggle and will not allow it to be tarnished or criminalized.
"There are over 100 commemorations throughout the island and scores more smaller events. Internationally many Irish exiles will also take part in commemorations. I am calling on people to wear an Easter Lily and to make this years Easter Commemorations and events bigger and better than ever before." ENDS
Note to Editors
In this the 100th anniversary of Sinn Féin, republicans throughout Ireland
will gather on Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday to honour and commemorate
Ireland's patriot dead.
Please see below for a list of the main commemorations - dates, locations
and speakers.
Main Commemorations
Easter Sunday:
Dublin City -- Assemble 1.30pm Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square and
March to GPO. Main Speaker: Martin McGuinness MP
Belfast -- Assemble 1pm, Beechmount Avenue. Main speaker: Martin Ferris TD
Derry City -- Assemble 2.30pm at the Bogside Inn, Westland Street march to
City Cemetery. Main Speaker: Gerry Adams MP
Tyrone -- (Carrickmore) Assemble 3.30pm. Main Speaker: Pat Doherty MP
County Waterford -- (Killrossanty) Assemble 3pm. Main Speaker Mary Lou
McDonald MEP
Fermanagh -- (Tempo) Assemble 2.30pm at Doon Lane. Main Speaker: Michelle
Gildernew MP
Monaghan Town -- Assemble 3pm, O'Hanlon Memorial, Clones Road. Main Speaker:
Gerry Kelly
Galway -- (Conamara) Assemble 3.30pm. Pearse's Cottage, Rosmuck. Main
Speaker: Bairbre de Brún MEP.
Armagh (Newry City) -- Assemble 12.30pm at Patrick Street. Main Speaker:
Conor Murphy
Armagh -- (Crossmaglen) -- Assemble at 10.30 am, Rangers Hall. Main Speaker:
Matt Carty
Cavan -- (Kilnavart) Assemble 12 noon Kilnavart Cemetery. Main Speaker: Sean
McManus
Cork (Bandon) -- Assemble 12.30pm, Republican Plot, St Patrick's Cemetery.
Main Speaker: Toireasa Ferris
Cork City -- Assemble 2.30pm National Monument, marching to St Finbarr's
Cemetery. Main Speaker: Sean Crowe TD
Derry - (The Loup) Assemble 2.30pm, Ballyronan Road and march to grave of
Brigadier Seán Larkin. Main Speaker: Arthur Morgan TD
Donegal -- (Drumboe) Assemble 2pm, Johnston's Corner, Stranorlar. Main
Speaker: Alex Maskey
Down -- (Castlewellan) Assemble 4pm at Lower Square march to monument. Main
Speaker: Caitriona Ruane
Drogheda -- Assemble 11am St Peter's Church to the Halpin/Moran monument,
Marsh Road. Main Speaker Martina Anderson
Dundalk -- Assemble 3pm Market Square, march to Republican Plot, St Patrick's
Cemetery. Main Speaker: Martina Anderson
Kerry -- (Tralee) Assemble 3pm, the Pike Man, Denny Street. Main Speaker:
Gearoid O hEara
Limerick City -- Assemble 12.30pm Munster Fair Tavern. March to Republican
Plot, Mount St Laurence Cemetery. Speaker: Killian Forde
Mayo -- (Achill) Assemble 10am, Dookinella. Main Speaker: Rita O'Hare
Wexford Town -- Assemble 11.45am Crescent Quay, parade to Republican Plot.
Main Speaker: John Dwyer
Easter Monday:
Armagh City -- Assemble 2pm Irish Street. Main Speaker Conor Murphy
Down -- (Downpatrick) Assemble 6pm Scotch Street, proceed to Republican
Monument. Main Speakers: Caitriona Ruane/Alex Maskey
Meath -- (Ashbourne) Assemble 11.30am at church and march to Republican Plot.
Main Speaker: Joe Reilly
Monaghan -- (Clones) Assemble 1.30pm, The Diamond. Main Speaker: Caoimhghín Ó
Caoláin TD
Easter Tuesday
Co Antrim (North Belfast-Ardoyne) Assemble 1pm Elmfield Street. Main
Speaker: Gerry Kelly
Toomebridge -- Assemble 4pm. Main Speaker: Barry McElduff