Oration honours a New Ross hero

INAUGURAL MICHAEL O’HANRAHAN ORATION GIVEN IN NEW ROSS BY EAMON O CUIV TD. DAVID LOOBY REPORTS

A CROWD braved the cold in New Ross on Saturday to support the inaugural Michael O’Hanrahan oration by Eamon O Cuiv TD.

People gathered at St Mary’s Terrace where O’Hanrahan was born 130 years previously on January 17, 1887 and walked to the Three Bullet for O’Cuiv’s oration.

One of the event’s organises Cllr Michael Sheehan said: ‘ The feedback has been overwhelming and encouraging. People loved the mixture of music, prose and the declaration, especially in Three Bullett Gate - itself the setting for the foundation of republicanism in our town.’

The speech delivered by Eamon O Cuiv was described as a tour de force covering the relevance of the 1916 Rising to modern Ireland and was well received.

Cllr Sheehan said: ‘ The partnership with all the community groups shows the power of collaboration and how we can our our best foot forward together. I want to congratulate both Cumann of Fianna Fáil for organising this event and to look forward to working on next year’s programme and expanding the event.’

He said orations play a key role in remembering the contributions of our patriots and legends who sacrificed their lives to the pathway of Irish freedom.

‘ This was a chance for us, as a people, to recognise and remember one of our own. This oration was special as it came at the anniversary of Michael O’Hanrahan’s birthday on January 17, and also the exact date of the convening of the first Dáil on January 21. So it’s the alpha and the omega in the struggle for Irish Democratic freedom,’ added Cllr Michael Sheehan.

Michael O’Hanrahan was born in St Mary’s Terrace and moved to Carlow and then onwards to Dublin. He was a scholar, author and patriot who left a legacy in liberalism, democracy, and who was an advocate of women’s rights. He was on active duty in Boland’s Mills and after capture by the British, he was executed in Kilmainham on May 4, 1916.

The oration is due to take place every year.

Laying a wreath are Frances Ryan, Eamon O Cuiv TD and Padraig Murphy.

Danescastle NS musicians Kiera Reville, Caoimhe and Keleigh Moran.

Cllr Michael Sheehan speaking at the oration.

Pierce Walsh holding a framed photo of his father and uncles in the Michael O’Hanrahan pipe band taken in 1932.

Nan Furlong reading the Proclamation.

Members of the Enniscorthy Re-enactment society at the oration.

A portion of the large attendance at the oration on Saturday.