NEW MONUMENT TO LIAM MELLOWS IS UNVEILED

AROUND 200 people turned out for the unveiling of a new Liam Mellows commemorative stone at Castletown graveyard recently.

Mellows, who was commander of the eastern section in Galway during the 1916 Rising, was executed in Mountjoy Prison in December 1922. In a letter to his mother shortly before his execution, he expressed the wish that some day he ‘might rest in some quiet place’ beside his grandparents in Castletown.

The grave remained unmarked until the Liam Mellows committee was founded in 1944, with Denis Allen TD as its chairman. They arranged for a headstone to be placed at his grave.

Now, the committee, with Denis Allen’s son, former TD Lorcan, as its chairman, has erected a commemorative stone in the graveyard to mark his role in the 1916 Rising.

The unveiling was performed by Micheál Martin TD, who also gave the oration on the day. Political figures from Wexford and Wicklow were in attendance, as was Cllr Michael Connolly, chairperson of Galway County Council who laid a wreath. Dr Conor McNamara also spoke, as did Cllr Lorcan Allen, who paid tribute to his committee for all their work on the project.

The event was preceded by a Commemorative Mass said by Canon Martin Cosgrove who blessed the stone. Refreshments were served to around 150 people afterwards in The Golden Anchor.

The committee thanked all who participated in any way, and all who attended.

Deputy Micheál Martin The Enniscorthy Re-enactment society stand to attention Some of the attendance at the Liam Mellows commemoration in Castletown Cllr Pip Breen leads the procession with the Irish flag.

The memorial to Liam Mellows is unveiled by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and is blessed by Canon Martin Cosgrove.

Lorcan Allen speaking at the commemoration