RSF EASTER MONDAY COMMEMORATION , GPO DUBLIN , APRIL 5th 2010.
The 1916 Proclamation being read out at the GPO , Dublin.For the 93rd successive year , RSF , as a political organisation, held an Easter Commemoration outside Dublin's GPO in O'Connell Street : the year before they held their first such Commemoration (ie 1916) RSF people would also have been present at the GPO , but inside it !
Speakers lectern , Dublin's GPO , Easter Monday, April 5th 2010.For over a three-hour period today - from when RSF began the stage/lectern etc build-up for their Easter Monday Commemoration at Dublin's GPO to when they disassembled same at 3pm that afternoon - thousands of people passed-by , out of which hundreds of Irish and foreign tourists stopped to talk and photograph the build-up: over 200 copies of 'Saoirse' were sold , and slightly more than that amount of copies of the 1916 Proclamation were sold , and a very busy 'trade' in the distribution of pin-on Easter Lillies took place. Over 600 'booklets' of Irish Republican leaflets - each 'booklet' consisting of either four or five separate leaflets - were distributed , and new contacts were made.
Na Fianna Éireann faces the GPO in Dublin , Easter Monday , April 5th 2010.Led by an RSF Colour Party , members of Na Fianna Éireann and a representative from Cumann na mBan , the RSF Easter Parade left the Garden of Remembrance at 1.45pm and arrived at the GPO shortly after 2pm. A crowd had already gathered to listen to the 'warm-up' speaker and , within ten minutes , between approximately three and five hundred people had stopped to listen , all of whom stayed for 60 minutes that the commemoration lasted for.
RSF Colour Party and Na Fianna Éireann at the GPO , Dublin, Easter Monday, April 5th 2010.The commemoration was Chaired by Andy Connolly , Dublin who , in the course of several short speeches throughout the proceedings , outlined to the many tourists present the historical significence of the GPO , mentioning other buildings and areas in Dublin in which action also took place. The 1916 Proclamation was read , as was the Easter Message from the leadership of the Republican Movement. Easter Greetings from the Republican Prisoners in Portlaoise Jail was read to the hundreds of people present , to loud applause, as was an Easter Statement from CIRA POW's in Maghaberry Jail.
Cumann na mBan member watching proceedings at the GPO in Dublin.The Main Oration was delivered by Sinn Féin Poblachtach President Des Dalton , in which , amongst other points , he outlined the history of the Republican Movement , detailing the various constitutional 'twists and turns' undertaken by those who left the Movement, having found the going too hard and the promise of a Free State or British political career too hard to resist. To a resounding cheer of support from the hundreds present , Des implored all Irish Republicans to remember , and to support , our POW's , and he also congratulated the 'Cabhair' organisation , which works full-time on behalf of our comrades who languish behind prison bars.
RSF Colour Party member facing the GPO.
RSF colour party at the GPO.
Dipping of the Flags , GPO , Dublin , Easter Monday , April 5th 2010.
RSF member laying the Wreath at the GPO in Dublin.Republican Sinn Féin are to be congratulated for holding , once again, a fitting and dignified tribute to the men and women from , as one of the contributors said from the stage - "...the men and women from 1916 , those that went before them and those today that are using the same methods in an attempt to achieve the same objective as those that we honour here today.."
Apart from the usual harrassment from the 'Special Branch' , the GPO Commemoration was a trouble-free event , and is a testament to the sheer determination of that Movement. Very 'Well Done' to all concerned !
Thanks!
Sharon.
