Many challenges facing Ireland raised at memorial
IRELAND faces major challenges, such as the economic challenge posed by Brexit; the assimilation into Irish society of the ‘new Irish’ who have come to our shores, and the challenge of providing homes for our citizens, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy told the annual Parle, Creane, Hogan commemoration in Taghmon.
She said the people of Wexford had never been found wanting and ‘we must turn such challenges into opportunities – opportunities for us to build on the foundations laid by those who went before us and build a better, more vibrant, more enlightened Ireland.’
‘Last year, in 2016 we commemorated the centenary of The Rising – a hugely important time in our national history – the birth of the modern Irish Nation. We commemorated this significant event in our history with the honour, dignity, and pride as befitted the occasion.. we know the value of remembering our past, whilst living in the present, and facing the future,’ said the Fine Fail member. She said we value the contributions made by those who have gone before us and in Taghmon the memorial honoured three young men who gave their lives 94 years ago: James Parle, of Clover Valley, Taghmon, John Creane, of Clonerane, Taghmon and Patrick Hogan, of William Street, Wexford - three young patriots who were executed on the following their arrest for possession of arms at Horetown House on February 15, 1923.
‘As we emerge from one of the most economically challenging times in the history of our nation, we must face the future with the grit and determination demonstrated by Parle, Creane and Hogan and many others during those difficult years and months of the War of Independence and Civil War,’ said Cllr Murphy.
‘Jim Parle, Jack Creane and Pat Hogan gave their lives so that we can be free to create our own future.’