The republican plot in Tipperary town hosted an Easter Sunday commemoration

The Republican Plot in St Michael’s Cemetery, in Tipperary Town, was the venue for the Third Tipperary Brigade Old IRA Commemoration Committee’s annual Easter Commemoration.

A crowd gathered at 2:30 on Easter Sunday, on the 109th anniversary of the Rising, to remember those who fought for Ireland during the rebellion and in the later War of Independence and Civil War.

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Elaine Fitzpatrick, vice-Chair, laid a wreath on behalf of the Commemoration Committee. Dermot Riordan laid a wreath on behalf of the Riordan family, in memory of their relative, Volunteer Sean Riordan, who lies buried in the plot and in memory of all those others buried with him.

Nuala Gleeson led the crowd in a decade of the Rosary as Gaeilge. Robert O’Keeffe then read the Proclamation of Independence.

Neil Ryan (Secretary of the Committee) gave a scholarly oration which dealt with how and why the Rising came about, and its importance in setting the foundations for modern Ireland. He paid tribute to those who gave their lives for Ireland and gave special mention to the thirteen men buried here in the Republican plot and the 82 other Volunteers from Tipperary, who paid the ultimate price for Ireland. He drew on the memory of the other men of the Third Tipperary Brigade who lie in St Michael’s cemetery, including John C Ryan, Jerry Kiely, Sean Hogan and Paul Merrigan.

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He commented that, though there are those in society who would have us forget the Rising and downplay its impact, we owe a debt of gratitude to these men and women. We should honour their legacy, remember it and build on it, to build a free, fair, modern, and inclusive Ireland. He thanked those who made the journey to pay tribute to their memories and wished all attendees a happy Easter. The commemoration concluded with the playing of the National Anthem.