Stone to honour Davis is unveiled
100 LOCALS AT GLASNEVIN FOR CEREMONY
A STONE from the old Ten Arch Bridge, erected just yards from the resting place of such Irish figures as Daniel O'Connell, Michael Collins and Eamonn DeValera, was unveiled in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin last Sunday.
Just five weeks after honouring Mallow writer and patriot Thomas Davis's bi-centenary at his graveside in Mount Jerome, over 100 Mallow people congregated at the unveiling ceremony close to the main gates of the Dublin cemetery.
Earlier, a separate group also paid homage to Daniel O'Connell and a lecture by Irish Ambassador to Britain Dan Mulhall took place in the cemetery pavilion which surrounded the life of both O'Connell and Davis. Minister Jimmy Deenihan also addressed the gathering.
At 3pm six members of the Thomas Davis Pipe Band, with flag bearer Michael O'Neill, led a parade through the cemetery to the erected stone which was part of the old stone Ten Arch Bridge, blown up during the troubled times.
The wreath bearers were Ann Barry, Stephanie Hartnett and Helen O'Connell. The Master of Ceremonies for the event was John McDonnell, Chairman of the Mallow Development Partnership who introduced many speakers at the monument.
The three wreaths were laid by Minister Sean Sherlock TD, Minister Jimmy Deenihan T.D and acting Mallow Town Mayor Cllr James Kennedy.
Minister Deenihan spoke of Davis' legacy and light- heartedly commented that both Cork and Kerry people were united off the field of play to honour both Davis and O'Connell.
Minister Sherlock thanked the organising committee for their efforts to highlight the work of Davis in the bi-centenary year.
Other speakers included Tim Sheehan, chairman of the Heritage Group, Tomàs O'Siochàin, Mallow born Historian Margaret Kelleher and John Green, chairman of the Glasnevin Trust.
At the end of the speeches members of the Thomas Davis Pipe Band, in full uniform, played 'A Nation Once Again', song written by and always associated with Thomas Davis.
Many Dublin-based Mallow people were also in attendance, including brothers Brother Jim Murphy and Father Conor Murphy, originally from Pearse Avenue, David O'Callaghan, formerly of Fair Street, who is father of Fair City actress Ciara O'Callaghan, who plays Yvonne, and prize-winning singer Tom Duggan.