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Republicans to mark Easter Rising
23.03.10
WITH Easter fast
approaching, local republicans are preparing to mark
the 94th anniversary of the 1916 Rising. The annual
commemoration in Buncrana will be held on Easter
Sunday, April 4, at 1pm in Cockhill Cemetery.
And Easter lilies, remembering republicans from
Easter 1916 right up to the present day, will be
much in evidence in the run-up to Easter Sunday.
“Personally, I wear the Easter lily to remember with
pride, and remind others, of the commitment of the
republican men and women, not only of Easter week,
but all those who played their part both in the past
and the present, in pursuit of Irish reunification,”
said Sinn Féin Cllr Daren Lalor.
The Easter lily has been a contentious symbol in
Ireland’s recent past. Buncrana man Colm
MacLochlainn says he recalls conflict between Gardaí
and republicans over many years regarding the
distribution of the lilies. While wearing the lily
was not an offence, selling it was and money raised
was often seized by the Gardaí in a game of cat and
mouse with republicans.
“The special branch were always on hand and would
harass you as often as they could,” Mac Lochlainn
recalled of his times selling Easter lilies. |
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“We’d often have sold
the lily outside Mass, and the Guards would have
come after you then too. It made the public afraid
of dealing with you, it made them think that you
weren’t to be trusted. The Guards had the job of
maintaining and upholding the State’s writ, but we
were only trying to remember our dead.” |
Colm MacLochlainn recalled that Eddie Fullerton,
when he had returned from England, was very keen to
ensure that the lily was well worn around the
Buncrana area.
“The symbol of the Easter lily threatens no one,”
Cllr Lalor added. “It’s a symbol of equality and I’d
like to see everyone in the community, irrespective
of their political persuasion, wear it with pride.
“Unfortunately, there are some in both the media and
our community who are uncomfortable in seeing those
wearing the lilies,” Cllr Lalor said. “These people
are quite content in settling for a 26 county state.
But the reality is that irrespective of who is in
power in Leinster House, Inishowen will never
achieve the economic stability or reach its full
potential until the goals of the men and women of
Easter Week 1916 have been realised.”
(Inishowen Independent) |
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