Kerry Sinn Féin gathered in Tralee on Easter Sunday to mark the 109th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising with a commemoration at Rath Cemetery.
The event, which began with a march from the Pikeman monument on Denny Street, was chaired by Kerry Sinn Féin chairperson Daithí Fitzgerald.
The commemoration featured the reading of the 1916 Proclamation by Cllr Deirdre Ferris and the roll of honour by Cllr Paul Daly, followed by wreath-laying tributes from Deputy Pa Daly, on behalf of Kerry Sinn Féin, and Jimin O’Shea.
Daithí Fitzgerald reflected on the legacy of Ireland’s patriot dead and emphasised the continued struggle for a Republic based on justice, equality and national sovereignty:
“A generation here in Kerry and right across the State has been politicised by the economic crash, by years of political failure, by mass youth emigration and by relentless austerity,” he said.
Delivering the main oration, former Sinn Féin Director of Publicity and author Danny Morrison paid tribute to the sacrifices made by generations of Irish republicans:
“The Good Friday Agreement provides us with a peaceful path to a new Ireland, however that new State is ultimately configured and negotiated with unionists, nationalists and the people here,” he said.
“What shall emerge is a new Ireland: a pluralist nation, a nation of diverse people, including the new Irish who have made their homes here, a Republic we can be proud of, which cherishes all of the children of the nation equally”.
The commemoration paid special tribute to Kerry’s proud republican heritage, honouring the memory of Roger Casement, Charlie Kerins, Thomas Ashe and countless other sons and daughters of Kerry who gave their lives for Irish freedom.
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