Between eight hundred and one thousand Irish Republicans gathered , as we do each year , in Sallins Village on Sunday June 14th last and marched in a well-organised fashion to the grave of Wolfe Tone , in Bodenstown Graveyard . The procession was led by uniformed members of Cumann na mBan , Na Fianna Eireann and an RSF Colour Party , and was very well received along the route by locals. The Thomas Davis Pipe Band from Cork , an extremely well-turned out and professional group , marched to and from the graveyard, never once missing a beat or a note as they done so. The proceedings were professionaly Chaired by Dan Hoban, Mayo, Peig Galligan (a walking encyclopedia of Irish Republicanism!) delivered a very fitting and respectful talk on the history of Wolfe Tone and those who supported the man and his objectives and Fermanagh Republican John Joe McCusker delivered a rousing oration , which was received with loud cheers by the large crowd gathered around the graveyard.
There was , as usual , a great 'buzz' and atmosphere about the whole day - even the harassment doled out by the nine members of the State political police couldn't ruin the day , try as they might. Their repeated interruptions were brushed aside and ignored by the large crowd , members of whom openly sneered at them and pushed back when attempts were made by these cretins to detain them. Overall , the whole event went as planned and was an honourable tribute to one of our Founding Fathers - Republican Sinn Féin are to be congratulated for organising this Commemoration , as are those who made the effort to attend. Well done to us all!
We publish with this brief report a couple of photo's from the day , and a link to where more of the same can be viewed -
Members of Cumann na mBan and Na Fianna Éireann in Bodenstown , 14th June 2009.
John Joe McCuskar , Fermanagh , delivering the main oration , Bodenstown 2009.A full report and more pics will be published in the July 2009 issue of 'SAOIRSE' , which will be published on Wednesday the 8th of that month : meanwhile , more pics can be viewed here.
Thanks!
Sharon.
