Local Sinn Féin group commemorate Easter 1916 in Thurles

Thurles Sinn Féin held its annual Easter Rising 1916 Commemoration on Sunday. Local piper, Andy Cooney followed by a colour party made the short march to the Pikeman statue in Liberty Square.

The event was chaired by Michael Lange, who began events by reading out the names of the 17 leaders who were executed by the British regime following the rising. Michael then invited G. Mitchel to read the 1916 Proclamation.

The Local IRA Roll of Honour was read by Thurles historical author Paddy Loughnane followed by a reading of Bobby Sands’ poem, Rhythm Of Time by Angela Harty.

A wreath was laid by John Joe Harty on behalf of the Republicans of Tipperary. Martin Browne TD gave the main oration on the day. Martin began by saying:

“As we stand here in front of the Pikeman Monument, we remember that Tipperary’s republican history began with Wolfetone and the United Irishmen, who sought to unite all communities in Ireland in the fight for freedom.

"From the initial organisation of the United Irishmen to the young Irelanders and Fenians in the 1800s to the Easter rising in 1916 and the struggle for a 32-county republic since partition, Tipperary republicans have proudly played their part”.

“Thurles people of course, also understand the importance of cultural revival to the independence movement, that a mere political separation from England would not be enough. The GAA founded
here in 1884, who’s role in preserving Irish culture was celebrated by the 1916 leaders such as Padraig Pearse, who believed the promotion of our native culture was central to the struggle for independence”.

“James Connolly predicted that partition would create a ‘carnival of reaction’ on both sides of the border. History has shown this to be the case as the new free state began an immediate suppression
of republicans and maintained the economic structures which had created rampant poverty and inequality during British rule”, Martin continued.

“Reactionary regimes north and south could not erase the ideal of an Irish Republic, the republic proclaimed outside the GPO in 1916 lived on in the hearts of committed republicans who, under immense pressure from the authorities, refused to give up on the republic they had fought for”.

“The good Friday agreement was a truly historic moment. It brought an end to three decades of conflict and laid out a peaceful path to the Irish Republic. It was not the end of our struggle. In the 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement Sinn Féin has used its institutions to further the Republican cause, and now for the first time a Republican Michelle O’ Neill, in the First Minister Designate in a state which was designed to permanently exclude Republicans from civil life”.

“Sinn Féin stands firmly on the side of working families who have borne the brunt of decades of government policies which have created a dysfunctional housing market, a health service in crisis, and has locked a generation out of home ownership. We refuse to accept that this is normal or necessary, it is clear to us that the government has chosen time and again to put the interests of banks, property developers, vulture funds, and the privileged classes ahead of those of ordinary
working families.”

Martin concluded his oration by stating, “Ending partition is not merely a national aspiration but it is necessary to unlock our true potential as a nation and to develop an all-island economy that serves the needs of the people. A stronger, fairer Ireland. An Ireland for all her people We remain committed to this task, a united Ireland is the only tribute worthy of the men and women of 1916.

Irish Republicans in 2023 are committed to the achievement of the vision of the 1916 Proclamation – an independent, United Ireland built on the foundation stones of equality and justice for all citizens”.