CAMOLIN’S 1916 HEROES SET IN STONE
FOR the first time in 100 years, the names of those from the parish who were involved in the Easter Rising in 1916, are now set in stone in Camolin village.
An unveiling ceremony was held in Camolin recently, after a commemorative Mass. Seven names have been recorded on the commemorative stone, including: Matthew Brennan of Kilcloran; John Carley of The Station House; Patrick Carton of Ballinclare; Richard Hume of Camolin; Aiden Kenny of Newbridge, Camolin; Andrew McCann of Ballilnamona; and James Quinn of Camolin Park. All were involved in the Rising in Enniscorthy or in local activities.
Members of their families travelled from as far as the UK to be there, and the stone was unveiled by Maggie Carton from Ballinclare, daughter of Patrick Carton. A wreath was laid by Terry McCann, son of Andrew McCann.
MC for the day was Eiilish McCan, and the stone was blessed bu Fr Joe Kavanagh After the Proclamation was read, the tricolour was raised by Mick Reddy of the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen (ONE).
Camolin Historical Society, which or-ganised the event, sent sincere thanks to everyone who assisted and participated in making the ceremony so successful Particular thanks went to those who helped
dig out and prepare a base for the memorial stone; those who took part in the Mass, bringing up symbols and gifts, readers and the choir; traffic marshals; piper John Cullen; bugler Liam Conway; Liam Doyle who read the Proclamation; Mick Reddy and the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen members; Jim Somers and the Monageer 1916 Commemoration Group; Maria Nolan and the Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society; and the Hall Committee for the refreshments afterwards.
Thanks also went to the sponsors who contributed to the cost of the memorial. Final thanks went to all who attended and took part in the ceremony.
John Kavanagh of Camolin Historical Society said that they were delighted to see such a large turnout. He added that the men’s families were overwhelmed with the ceremony and the stone. ‘It meant a lot to them,’ he said.