Local Fenian Charlie Farrell is remembered
On Saturday March 11, Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society diversified into yet another period of our history, gathering at the Corrig Graveyard, outside Enniscorthy, to present arms at the graveside of ‘an old Fenian’ Charlie Farrell to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Fenian Rising on March 5 1867.
Charlie Farrell is mentioned in the witness tatement of Thomas Doyle, Weafer Street in 1916 where he says: ‘Early in 1913, Charlie Farrell, an old Fenian and very old native of Enniscorthy, died in Tom Hayes where he stopped. At that time Seamus Doyle and Larry de Lacey both I.R.B. members, were great pals of the old Fenian. Charlie Farrell was buried in the old Corrig Graveyard about one and a half miles outside the town looking down on the River Slaney. All members of the I.R.B. marched at his funeral.’
On Saturday last members of Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society re-grouped at the 1798 Centre and in Fenian attire complete with guns and pikes marched down John Street, into Court Street, along Rafter Street, up Weafer Street, across Pig Market Hill and down Cathedral Street into Market Square where Sean Og Doyle spoke of the Fenian Rising and its significance in the build-up to 1916 and read The Fenian Proclamation.
Enniscorthy Re-enactment Society’s schedule continues on March 17 where they participate in the St Patrick’s Day Parades in both Bunclody and Enniscorthy. On Sunday April 2 we have been invited to be part of a commemoration at Kilcloney Wood, Mitchelstown where Peter O’Neill Crowley, the last Fenian was shot and killed. Easter Sunday April 16 they are at New Ross for the annual 1916 Easter event and on Easter Monday at home in Enniscorthy where a Re-enactment will take place at Market Square after Mass and parade to Market Square.
Afterwards a 2016 time capsule will be presented by chairman of the group Ray Murphy to the Athenaeum to be housed there and opened at the next significant 1916 Anniversary in the town. On April 22 and 23 they are off to play their part in the Battle of Ashbourne weekend.
April 24 is Republic Day and will be commemorated at Enniscorthy by EHRS with a march to Market Square and reading of the Proclamation and on April 28-30 members of the group will join with our friends in Mayo for a commemoration of the Races of Castlebar - In Humberts Footsteps.