1916 Easter Rising Remembered in Westmeath

The

County Westmeath Easter Commemoration Committee,

Republican SINN FÉIN Poblachtach

Westmeath / Iarmhí

Wreath Laying ceremonies were held throughout the County.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of the leadership of the Republican Movement by the Seán Costello / Martin Hurson Cumann, Athlone at the graves of Tom Hughes, “Kit” McKeown and Una and Victor Fagg at Cornamagh Cemetery Athlone on Holy Thursday. 

Good Friday at Dawn on the Grave of Joseph and James Tormey, Mount Temple grave yard. 

Easter Sunday Republican Memorial Moate 10.30am, Hill of Berries memorial to Toby Mannion at 11.45am and Athlone Brigade Memorial 12 noon Costume Place Athlone. Drumraney old Cemetery 7.30pm at graves of Patrick Sloan and Dick Bertles. 

On Good Friday Cumann Shéamais Uí Dhálaigh, Kilbeggan laid wreaths at the grave of Connacht Ranger mutineer (India 1920) Seamais Uí Dhálaigh, Tyrellspass. Republican Plots Kilbeggan at the grave of Volunteer Seán Maher, James McGuiness and also that of exiled Fenian James Daly. 

Holy Saturday at Crith Cemetery in Co. Offaly at the grave of Joe Byrne and the memorial to John ‘leo’ Keegan Casey in Rathconrath on Easter Monday.

Westmeath County Commemoration

The County Commemoration was held at the grave of Paddy Geraghty at Meedin Cemetery in the Tyrellspass / Rochfortbridge area at 3pm on Easter Sunday. 

Participants lined up behind the flag bearer and marched the short distance to the republican plot. Seosamh Ó’Maoileoin Chaired the proceedings. Eamonn Curly read the 1916 Proclamation declaring the Republic. Tommy Morris read the County Westmeath I.R.A. Roll of Honour. Olibh Dalton laid a wreath and Emmett Walsh read the Easter Statement from the Leadership of the Republican Movement. 

The oration was delivered by Mairtín Ó’Machair in which he outlined the republican activities of the two volunteers being commemorated. Patrick Seery died following an engagement with Crown forces while Geraghty was executed by the Free State in Portlaoise Prison along with Joe Byrne who was also remembered. Martin also pointed out that only a few hundred yards away the Tyrellspass Company of the Irish Volunteers held off an RIC party over a number of days at the Malone Homestead Meedin, Easter Week, 1916. 

Following the oration the parade made its way the short distance to the grave of Patrick Seery where a wreath laying Ceremony took place. Proceedings then were brought to a close with the singing of Amhran na bhFiann.

NB:  Photographs from the commemoration will be uploaded soon along with photographs of the wreaths that were laid around the County over Easter Weekend.