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An Oration and
Some Reflections
at
Ballina Celebrations
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A
March to the Cemetery at Leigue
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An Exclusive
Report in the "Western People" on April 14, 1928.
(List of
names provided by "Ballina Herald" of same date)
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TANDING by two well-kept graves, which are the sole occupied spaces in
what is known at the 'Republican Plot' at Leigue cemetery, Ballina, on Sunday,
8th April, wrote the 'Western People' representative, his mind went back to an
Easter Monday twelve years ago, in memorable 1916, which all these later
demonstrations of a milder character are intended to commemorate.
He continued: "That
time of Easter, 1916, was a week of brilliant sunshine and genial summer
warmth--not more brilliant sunshine than beat down on the bared heads of the
crowd at Leigue on Sunday, but much warmer in every respect.
"I was probably
the only member of Sunday's gathering who could claim to have been
"out" in Dublin in Easter Week, 1916. Let me hasten to say that
twelve years ago as on Sunday I was "out" in my professional capacity
as Pressman, and not as a combatant or a celebrator of combat. Most of those
around the graves on Sunday were too young twelve years ago to have
participated in the activities of that bloody by memorable week which laid the
foundation for the freedom won five years later, partly by strategy, partly by
the guerilla warfare which followed, and not less largely by the aid of the
Nationalist Press of Ireland, which is never mentioned when the disputants
engage in their periodical distribution of "honours."
"Let me further
hasten to add that having seen something of the struggle in Dublin in 1916,
having listened to the British guns as they pounded the G.P.O. and the houses
and streets in the vicinity, having seen
the centre of the city, one of the finest thoroughfares in Europe, go up in
flames that reached almost to the sky,. having seen something of the
semi-starvation in the homes of Dublin
during that never-to-be-forgotten week, I am not anxious to witness a
repetition of scenes of horror ever again. and having heard the claims of those
who, according to their own stories,
were "out" in Dublin in Easter week, the wonder is that Ireland lost
that first round of the struggle, for the number--according to the
claims--would have completely overwhelmed the battalions of the British
military engaged in the conflict. But it is safe to hazard the view that not
one-tenth of those who claimed to have participated on the side of the
insurrectionists of Easter Week, 1916, ever bore a gun or a despatch in that
eventful week to help the little band who, foolishly or otherwise, started the
racket.
"Why should the
ceremony to commemorate the happenings of East Week in Ballina, or even in
Dublin, be regarded as the especial function of one section of the split
movement? President Cosgrave and his family, on the one hand, and Mr. de
Valera, President of Fianna Fail, on the other, were both identified with the
rising of 1916. Why should only the followers of Mr. de Valera to-day make
public commemoration of the event through people who, for the most part, were
not in any way identified with the struggle of that week? That was the
reflection which came into my mind as I stood by the graveside at historic
Leigue and listened to a well-delivered oration, to the rosary recited in Irish
by perhaps a dozen out of a gathering of over a
hundred people. Who, knowing anything of our latter-day history and
disputation, of the manifestations of personal vanity, and exploitations of the
memory of a small but gallant band that struck a blow in Dublin--and in Dublin
only--in Easter week twelve years ago, will have the hardihood to attempt to
supply the answer?
THE MARCH TO THE
CEMETERY
"After last Mass
at the Cathedral 80 young men, drawn from the rural districts for the most
part, formed up in fours, and without any of the military commands which are
forbidden by the State, started off at a quick march on the mile and half
journey to the cemetery. Behind, in mufti, keeping to the footpath, keeping to
the footpath, were four members of the Garda Siochána--their duty to see that no
violation of the law was attempted. Behind I noticed one young woman who kept
pace with the quick march to the graveyard--the only lady in or near the
cortege. Later, some motor cars conveyed other mourners to the graveyard.
"The Republican
Plot reached, Mr. Anthony Kerrigan,
ex-D.C., stepped close to the two graves and recited the rosary in Irish, while
all present, including the Civic Guards, knelt to utter the responses.
THE ORATION
"The Rosary
concluded, Mr. John Barrett,
Crossmolina, formerly an officer of the I.R.A., delivered the oration, which
was listened to in silence. He said:--
"A cháirde go leír—The occasion which brings us
together here to-day is a most important and solemn one—to honour the memories
of those men from North Mayo who made the supreme sacrifice—the sacrifice of
their very lives in order that the country which gave them birth might be freed
from the Imperial shackles which bind her to England. On an occasion like this
it is fitting that we should ask ourselves why is it necessary that so many of
the youth of the country should, generation after generation, give their lives
in a cause which certain people profess to regard as the parent on an
unattainable ideal, but which all true-hearted Irishmen firmly believe is the
real destiny of this country—a destiny which sooner or later is certain of
fulfilment."
Later on in his
speech he added: "You know after England obtained a foothold in this
country, more than seven centuries ago, the fight between Irish Nationality and
British Imperialism at once commenced. How that fight proceeded you all know.
Times there were when Ireland suffered periods of despondency, when all hope
seemed dead, when the light of patriotism seemed quenched for ever, when the
forces of Imperialism seemed to have gained a complete victory. But always
strong men—men of courage and resolution—arose who would not allow the feeble
spark to become extinguished, who preached the gospel of nationality to the
young people, some of whom were only too eager to listen. Such a man was Theobald Wolfe Tone, a representative
of the Protestant minority—a man whose object was to sever the connection with
England by any and every means. Such a man was Padraic Pearse, the man who fired the spark of Easter Week, 1916—a
spark which burst into a flame so fierce that its heat was felt in every
mansion and hamlet in Ireland. Pearse made his appeal to the youth, and the
youth responded nobly. It was in response to this appeal that Tolan and Hegarty, Morrison and
James went forth to the sacrifice. It is in answer to the same appeal that
Irishmen will always be found ready to lay down their lives in order that their
country might live. May the memories of these men always remain enshrined in
our hearts. Let us hope and pray that their sacrifices will stimulate those of
us who remain to renewed and sustained efforts; to help us to remember that no
matter how dark the clouds look that the clear sky is always behind, and that
Nationalist Ireland is bound to emerge triumphant in the end".
A further decade of
the Rosary was recited, and the proceedings ended, and the gathering dispersed.
A shortened version
of what took place on that day in Leigue was printed in the "Ballina
Herald". In its report it incorporated the names of those who were
prominent in charge of the arrangements at Leigue and included: Messrs. James Loftus, Tolan Street; Tom Ruane, U.D.C., do.; P. A. Calleary, B.E., James Connolly
Street; M. Curry, U.D.C., Sean MacDermott Street; M. J. Hegarty, Lahardane, etc.
Mr. P. J. Ruttledge, T.D., was also present.
Also mentioned in the
"Herald" report were the names of the men of the North Mayo Brigade
who gave their lives in the cause of freedom: Michael Tolan, Ballina; Joseph
Healy, Ardnaree; Dr. Ferran,
Foxford; Martin Flannelly, Attymass;
Kerley Munnelly, Ballycastle; Edward Hegarty, Lahardane; Nicholas Corcoran, Ballina; Tommy Nealon, Clydagh; T. Howley, Enniscrone; P. Mullen, Attymass; Tom Roache, Ardnaree; T. James and P. Morrison,
Knockmore (killed at Clifden).
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