Saturday, April 6, 2013

Text of Enniscorthy Easter Monday Speech by Cllr Johnny Mythen

Photo by Les Dunne
Cead mile failte go leir go dti an  comoradh seo innue.

 An comoradh eiri amach na casca I mblian 2013.

As chairman I would like to welcome you all, and to give a special welcome to those who have travelled from abroad or long distances to attend today’s commemoration. We would also like to extend our sincere sympathies to the families of all those who have passed away, and especially those who have suffered recent bereavements.

Photo by Les Dunne
In recent years we have begun a tradition that we hope will be carried on for many years to come. That tradition is to dedicate the flag of the Irish republic( just behind me here ) in memory of  life long republicans, The actual original flag  usurped the British  union jack ,and was unfurled for the first time over the G.P.O. in 1916, it is also known as  Pearce’s flag. This year it is a great honour to dedicate the flag of the Irish Republic to a veteran of the 40’s campaign, Nick Furlong of Corish Park Wexford. Nick joined na Fianna at the tender age of 15, And subsequently was arrested after a protest in Wexford town.  Shortly after his release he moved to Liverpool and “again” found himself at odds with the British establishment. From there he signed up to the merchant navy and was to prove his worth yet again, as an able sea man, and carried out many a valuable task for the republican cause.  On his return to his native Wexford Town he went on to be a founding member of the C.B.S. Boxing club, helping youngsters of all walks of life to achieve their goals.  Today we fly the flag in the highest esteem of Nick Furlong and his life long association with republicanism. May he rest in peace.

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the “Sinn Fein” rising of 1916, we do so with a great sense of immense admiration for the men and women of 16.

Photo by Les Dunne
We do so with a great sense of the immense courage that they displayed under the back breaking regime and unjust laws of an Imperialist Nation.

We do so with the sense of their great immense willingness to sacrifice their own human lives for the love of the Irish people and for the love of their native land..

As Wexford men and Women we too can take the same pride in the part our Town contributed to the fight for Irish freedom . In fact many of the participants who took part in the Enniscorthy rising faced the same consequences of the signatories of the proclamation and were sentenced to death. Only later to have their sentences commuted to a 3 to 4 year stint in the” infamous concentration camp” known as frangoch in Wales.

Photo by Les Dunne
Wexford also has a direct link with, the executed leaders of 1916, one of whom was New Ross man Michael o Hanrachain (Michael o Hanrahan). Michael was a member of Sinn Féin, an I.R.B. member and vice commandant of the 3rd Batt. of the I.R.A.  He was executed by the British on the 4th of May 1916, along with his brave comrades, Edward Daly, William Pearse.  Joseph Plunkett.

My friends, my fellow Irish men and Irish women, today we all face a great challenge. A challenge to stand up against dictatorial unfair legislation and elite protectionist policies that are hatched out on a weekly basis in Dail Eireann, which are  destroying the livelyhoods of the ordinary man and ordinary woman, and are contrary to the common good . But together we will turn the politically impossible into the politically inevitable, because our republican beliefs, ideals and republican principles have stood the test of time.

Because our republican beliefs  are needed now! More than ever before.

Because our republican principles are right.

Because our republican ideals  are as, relevant now! As they were 97 years ago.

Go raibh maith agaibh go leir.

Ladies and Gentlemen it gives me great pleasure to introduce our main speaker today, Sandra Mc Lellan, from the rebel county of Cork.

Photo by Les Dunne
Sandra served on the Youghal town council in 2004. In 2009 she topped the poll and became the first Sinn Fein Mayor of Youghal. From there she went on to serve on the Cork city Council and was elected a Teachta Dala in 2011, receiving well over 6000 first preference votes, from her constituents of East cork. She currently holds the portfolio of   arts heritage and tourism for Sinn Fein. Now I would like to ask you all to put .