LIAM MELLOWS REMEMBERED AT ANNUAL CEREMONIES
SENATOR MARK DALY GIVES GRAVESIDE ORATION AT FIANNA FÁIL EVENT
A LARGE crowd of Fianna Fáil supporters gathered in Castletown for the annual Liam Mellows commemoration which began with a mass in St Patrick’s Church followed by a colour party leading on to the adjoining cemetery.
Although a Sinn Féin commemoration also took place on the day, the Fianna Fáil event was chaired by former TD Lorcan Allen and included graveside prayers led by the Parish Priest.
The oration was delivered by Fianna Fail Senator Mark Daly, who also laid a wreath on the grave and was attended by newly elected TD Malcolm Byrne and his Fianna Fáil colleague James Browne as well as local councillors.
Attendees heard that shortly before Liam Mellows was executed in Dublin, he expressed a wish to be buried some day with his grandfather and grandmother in Castletown.
As the trumpet was played and the Irish flag flew overhead, attendees heard that ‘In accordance with his wish, he sleeps with his Wexford fore bearers in the graveyard in Castletown’.
Cllr Pip Breen who attended the event said that although a stone was unveiled in there in 2016, the members now look ahead to the 100th anniversary of his execution.
‘It was fitting day to commemorate as it fell exactly on the day that he and his comrades were executed. It is emotional coming up to the 100 years anniversary.
‘He was an idealist and he had a vision for an all inclusive Ireland that we all should have. He was a huge loss to the country, no more than any of the other patriots who would have been such a huge benefit to the state in its infancy’.
Light refreshments followed afterwards in the Golden Anchor.