Ballindaggin to remember most famous son

ON September 12 and 15, the people of Ballindaggin are set to remember one of their own, Seamus Rafter of Monalee, 100 years on from his death. A leading figure in the cultural and political landscape of Co. Wexford in the early 20th century, Rafter was a founding member of the Gaelic League in his adopted town of Enniscorthy while also being one of the inspirational leaders of the 1916 Rising in the county.

The Ballindaggin events have been organised by Michael Fortune, who in 2016 organised The Backroads to the Rising Project, which saw people from the village turn out in their hundreds to walk The Seamus Rafter Route into Enniscorthy on Easter Monday morning.

A special concert has been organised in a similar spirit, with neighbours coming together to remember Seamus and celebrate the Gaelic culture and traditions which were central to his life and visions

The concert will take place in Ballindaggin Hall on Saturday the 15th of September from 8pm -10pm and will feature sets from a plethora of our finest local and nationally respected traditional musicians, singers and dancers including, Padraig and Brigid Sinnott, Ann Dreelin, Aileen Lambert, Deirdre Jordan, James Jordan, Helena Dunbar, John Furlong, Paul O’Reilly, Niall Wall, Tom Murphy, JJ O’Connor, Nellie Fortune, Éire Ní Fhaoláin, Chulainn Ó Faoláin, Ferns Comhaltas and Damhsóirí na Dubhtíre.

The line-up features young and old while it will also include three local traditional songs which pay reference to Seamus and his legacy. Admission to the concert is just €8 for adults, children are free and all monies raised will be donated towards the completion of the Ballindaggin Community Field.

A smaller, more solemn affair will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday September 12, the anniversary of his death, at his grave in Ballindaggin graveyard. This will be attended by his surviving family members Mary and Seamus Rafter where a wreath will be laid in his honour and a piece of music played by St. Colman’s Pipe Band from Ballindaggin.

This event is open to the public to attend and all are welcome.

For further information please contact Michael Fortune or Aileen Lambert on 087 6470247/087 7552593.