Commemoration will mark homecoming of Enniscorthy volunteers

On Saturday December 17 Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society will commemorate the homecoming of the volunteers for Christmas 1916. Proceedings get under way at 3pm at Enniscorthy Railway Station when participants will march to Market Square where a short ceremony will take place in a tribute to the Enniscorthy men and women of 1916.

Release of the County Wexford internees had been taking place from the end of May 1916 and continued at regular intervals until the last group of 28 arrived from Frongoch at Enniscorthy Railway Station at 10pm on Christmas Eve 1916.

A great change was apparent in the Ireland to which they returned compared to the Ireland they had left earlier that same year.

The following pieces describing the Homecoming are from the witness statements of Michael Kirwan, St. John’s and Thomas Doyle Weafer Street, Enniscorthy.

‘Almost every family in town had some member or relation interned, and when releases began in the late summer of 1916 crowds assembled each night at the railway station to welcome those coming home. No one ever knew who was actually coming until the Dublin train steamed in about 9.30 p.m., and a right hearty welcome awaited each.

‘In the Gaelic League rooms and in the Concert Hall rebel songs were sung at every function, until it seemed all Ireland was on the side of the rebels. British troops were stationed in the town for a long time afterwards and, of course, there was always a few West Britons to welcome them. At Christmas the last remaining untried prisoners were released from Frongoch and they arrived in Enniscorthy on Christmas Day. Those included many who were to be leaders during the ensuing years like T.D. Ó Sionóid, Patrick Keegan, Jas. and Denis O’Brien, Jas. Cullen, Jas. Cleary, all of Enniscorthy, with Philip Lennon, New Ross, and many others.’ Micheal 0 Ciardubhain (Kirwan), 49 Tighthe Eoin Naomha, Inniscorthaidh, Co. Loch Gharman

‘After that, they gave us a ticket to our nearest railway station at home. The best part of us was sent home that evening, and the remainder the following evening which was Christmas Eve.

‘ We arrived at Holyhead at 1.30 in the morning. It was very stormy when we got out to sea. Each prisoner got some money out of the camp fund before leaving and, when the bar was open on the ship, some of the boys quenched the long thirst they had, as they had not seen a bottle since they were arrested.

‘ The crossing was very rough and a lot of them got sick. We arrived about an hour late, owing to the rough crossing but we were just in time to catch the Wexford train to Enniscorthy. We were all delighted to be free men again, to spend a very happy Christmas with our people again.’ Thomas Doyle, Weafer Street

To commemorate the Homecoming and to celebrate what has been a most remarkable year in the town, Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society would like to invite all relatives of the volunteers and Cumann na mBan to attend and would ask the people of Enniscorthy to come out and show your support for those who made us who we are today.