Sources: Connacht Tribune April 25 – May 2, 1986

Wreath laying Ceremony

Ceremonies commemorating the 70th anniversary of the 1916 Rising were held in Athenry on Sunday, the 20th, the Sunday closest to the actual anniversary (Easter was on the 23rd in 1916) and started with the laying of a wreath at the statue of Liam Mellowes in Athenry – under the leadership of Mellowes, the Athenry region had been the only place in Ireland outside Dublin which rose up in 1916. The wreath was laid by Miss Kitty Lardner, Chairperson of the Athenry Historical Society and daughter of Captain Larry Lardner Mellowes’ second-in-command in 1916.

Athenry’s role in Connacht’s Military History

Professor Etienne Rynne organiser for the Society of the event, spoke a few words about Athenry’s role in Connacht’s military history from the Battle of Athenry in 1316 to the Rising six hundred years later in 1916, and Michael O’Halloran, of the Liam Mellowes Pipe Band, piped suitable martial and traditional airs.

Celebration Dinner

After the wreath-laving a celebration dinner was held in “The Green Briar” for members of the Society and some special guests. These included Mrs. Brigid Ruane and Mr. James Cleary, the last two local surviving veterans of the Rising, and also the speakers at the commemorative symposium which
followed that evening. The symposium consisted of four short lectures on the theme “1916, Then and Now – a Commemoration” It was held in the Assembly Hall, Presentation College, Athenry, and was well attended.

Prof. Thomas P. O’Neill

The first lecturer was Professor Thomas P. O’Neill, Department of History, University College, Galway, who spoke on “The Lead. up to 1916* He outlined the development of a Truly nationalistic outlook in Ireland, beginning many years before 1916 and including the cultural as well as the more military aspects, for not only did the Fenians play a part but so also did the G.A.A., the Gaelic League, an the literary revival of Yeats and his colleagues. The 1916 Rising Professor O’Neill said, was in fact a democratic act, ‘even if initially supported in the field by a small minority – election results had previously clearly demonstrated Ireland’s wish for independence.”

Reading of Proclamation

The lecture was followed by a recorded reading of the Proclamation by the late Micheál Mac Liammóir, accompanied by slides showing the text and portraits of the seven signatories.

Professor Donal McCartney

Professor Donal McCartney, Department of Modern Irish History, University College Dublin, then spoke on “The Personalities of the Signatories of the 1916 Proclamation”. He analysed each of them individually and saw them as representing the different strands of Irish society of  the time, each providing an essential clement without which the Rising would probably never have taken place.

Pádraig Ó Snodaigh

Pádraig Ó Snodaigh, Assistant-Keeper in charge of the historical section in the National Museum of Ireland, next spoke on “The 1916 Insurrection in County Galway”, He outlined the events of Easter Week in Clarinbridge, Oranmore, Galway City, Carnmore and Athenry, clearly showing the extent of the Rising in East Galway. He described the movements in the area of Volunteers and the counteractions undertaken by both the RIC and the British army. 

Seán MacBride

Seán MacBride son of Major John MacBride who was executed for his part in the 1916 Rising followed. He spoke on “The Legacy of 1916. since then and in the future”. He started by commenting on the idealism behind the Rising, stating that “A Nation without an ideal is like a man without a soul”, While praising the 1916 Proclamation, he though that it should be read in conjunction with the Declaration of Irish Independence adopted at the first meeting of Dáil Eireann in January, 1919. Speaking about the future, Dr. MacBride questioned the place of the recent Anglo-Irish Agreement relation to the ideals of 1916. He felt that this Agreement would perpetuate partition and was pessimistic about its effects, Following on a standing, ovation for Dr. MacBride, Professor Rynne thanked all the speakers, and commenting generally on the symposium he then expressed a more optimistic view of the current situation than had Dr. MacBride.

Commemorative Silver Medal

The event was concluded by the presentation of a specially-struck commemorative sliver medals to all the speakers. These medals (sponsored by O’Neill’s Pharmacy, The Square, Athenry) were described by Professor Ryne as likely to be the only medals to be struck to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Rising.

Athenry Veterans

The ceremony concluded with the reading of citations on the participation of the two veterans, Mrs. Brigid Ruane, then a member of Cuman na mBan, and Mr. James Cleary, then a member of Fianna Eireann. Both were then formally presented with commemorative medals by Miss Kitty Lardner.