2,000 in Castlewellan to mark Easter Rising

2,000 in Castlewellan to mark Easter Rising

30 March 2016

MORE than 2,000 Republicans from across south Down gathered in Castlewellan on Sunday to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

The streets of the town were lined with people as a colour party, followed by local people with portraits of the leaders of the Rising who were executed, left the Bann Road playing fields en route for the Main Street. 

Longstone Pipe Band was followed by a number of people in uniforms of the day with replica weapons from the period of the Rising and war of independence. Pictures of south Down IRA volunteers were carried by relatives along with portraits of the hunger strikers.

Participants also carried banners marking the local companies who fought in the war of independence

Hundreds of people, many in period dress, filed behind the Croi An Dúin Band followed by the James Connolly Republican Flute Band from Scotland. Local GAA clubs and cultural groups also took part in the the parade proudly displaying their banners and colours. 

Newcastle Road was themed as ‘History Road’ with street theatre scenes acted out giving a snapshot of Irish history from different eras — Thomas Russell in 1798 through the famine period, Easter Rising, internment, blanket protests and hunger strikes. 

The parade finished at the Republican monument at Lower Square where wreaths were laid on behalf of the Republican movement, organising committees, POWs, Sinn Féin Cumainn, Newry, Mourne and Down Council and families. 

Caitriona Ruane MLA  and Michael Gray Sloan chaired proceedings as Orla Rice read the south Down volunteers roll of honour and Patrica Torney read the hunger strike roll of honour.

Sheila Caulfield, who travelled from New Jersey to pay tribute to her father, James Caulfield, from Warrenpoint, who was a 4th Northern Division IRA volunteer who participated in the Easter Rising, unveiled a plaque along with Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairman Mickey Ruane.

Then Sean Cunningham marched forward in full uniform, took to the stage and read aloud the Proclamation of the Irish Republic. 

Events rounded of as Chris Hazzard MLA gave an oration and Longstone band played Amhrán  na bhFiann.