Offaly heroes of the revolutionary period remembered at Easter commemoration

The ceremony took place at the monument in memory of those who died during the War of Independence and Civil War periods at the front of the Courthouse in Cormac St.

Speaking at the ceremony, organiser Odran Condron said Offaly men and women who fought in the War of Independence and subsequent struggles had made life changing sacrifices.

He continued; “Offaly played a major role in Irish history, the Tullamore incident was one of the more notable involving Peadar Bracken, Joe Wrafter and Seamus Brennan amongst others. Many frequently refer to the Tullamore incident as the first shots of the Easter rising. On hearing the news of the events that had occurred - the great Padraig Pearse himself said “a great thing was done in Tullamore last night”. We also have local men like Seamus Kelly (Kid Kelly) who fought in the historical battle of Ashbourne under Thomas Ashe. Peadar Bracken went on to Dublin and fought in the Rising.

“Many of the Volunteers who marched out against the might of the British empire did so without any qualms, leaving their jobs, farms, families some of which they would never see again. If we were asked to make the same sacrifice today would we do it – would we have the same courage as these brave people did who fought for a cause they believed in so dearly… It is because of their courage and the sacrifices that they made for us that makes it important for us to remember them and honour them with pride.

“Along with our gallant Irish heroes of which some were local – Irish women and Irish children also played a large but mostly unrecognised role in Irelands fight for independence, they took over the roles that the men left behind, they helped to fund raise, some were involved in the fighting, others nursed the wounded, others fed and housed volunteers on the run which often placed them and their families in danger but they were more than willing to make this sacrifice.

“I remember very well my mother bringing us as kids to attend the easter ceremonies here at the courthouse many years ago along with my grandmother Julia O Kelly who was the wife of Sean O Kelly OC of the Offaly No.1 brigade. They came here every year to commemorate comrades and friends, men like my grandad Sean, his brothers Jimmy and Paddy (Paddy actually died from influenza which he contracted while on the run), Michael Killeavey, Peadar Bracken, Ted Berry, Thomas Mooney and all the Offaly Volunteers. Little did I know at the time I was in the presence of greatness. This is the main reason I wanted to keep this event running again -- to carry on the tradition that they started because I was raised to have pride and remember with distinction the people and events which shaped Irish history that we celebrate here today. We are very honoured to have with us today Jim Connolly Heron who is the great grandson of James Connolly.

“Today in a very special way we remember one of those lesser known heroes - Thomas Mooney from Lynally Thomas’s sons Matty and Larry joins us here today so we wanted to share his story, Born in 1899 Thomas was a young boy who had started learning Irish in the Sinn Fein rooms on William Street (Columcille Street) when he joined the IRA at the age of 15. After some time he was asked if he would join the Rahan branch of the IRA and he proudly volunteered. Rahan at the time had small numbers and they wanted to build up the numbers in their branch. Thomas was present in the Sinn Fein rooms on March 20^th 1916 on the evening of the Tullamore incident when the first shots of the Rising were fired, He evaded arrest that night and later went on to fight in the War of Independence and was acclaimed for his bravery. Thomas died on the 24^th January 1961. Ar dheis de go raibh a hanam

“We are coming to an era where the direct link to our Volunteers is coming to an end, it is up to us and the next generation to ensure we do not forget lest their efforts be in vain.

Formalities commenced with the lowering of the flag and the reading of the 1916 Proclamation of the Republic by historian P.J. Goode.

A wreath was laid at the memorial by Fr Johnny McEvoy.

A poem written by prisoners in Tullamore Jail during the War of Independence was read by Breda Condron immediately followed by the singing of “Adown by the Glenside” by those in attendance.

The roll of honour of Offaly people who died in the War of Independence and Civil War was read by Tullamore based historian Dr Philip McConway.

He noted that a number of those on the roll were buried in unmarked graves at various locations in the county.

The ceremony concluded with the playing of the Last Post, the raising of the flag, Reville and Amhrán na bhFiann.