People of Fermoy set to honour the memory of the 1916 heroes

THOMAS KENT’S GREAT-GRANDAUGHTER TO DELIVER ORATION AS FERMOY BRIDGE IS RENAMED IN HIS HONOUR

THE town of Fermoy will come to a standstill next Monday as the local community comes together to honour the men and women who fought and died in the cause of Irish freedom a century ago.

For the past number of months the Fermoy 1916 Centenary Committee has been busy planning a comprehensive programme of events celebrating the spirit of 1916 and those whose actions helped change the course of Irish history.

The celebrations will commence with mass at 10.30am in St Patrick’s Church, with the Post 25 (Fermoy) of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) providing military honours.

This will be followed by the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to Thomas MacDonagh, one of the seven signatories of the Proclamation, at the terrace where he once lived and is now named in his honour. It will be unveiled by his great-granddaughter, Michelle Drysdale.

A poet, playwright and soldier Thomas MacDonagh, had strong links to Fermoy having taught Latin, English and French at St Colman’s College from 1903-1908.

During his time in Fermoy MacDonagh developed his love for the Irish language, and was instrumental in founding a branch of the Gaelic League. He was also one of the founding members of the ASTI (Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland), which began at St Colman’s College in 1908.

A parade, led by an army colour parade, the Thomas Kent Pipe Band and the Fermoy Concert Band will make its way to Fermoy Bridge, stopping along the way at the Fermoy Community Resource Centre on McCurtain St. This was the site of the former RIC barracks, the building that Thomas Kent and his brother William were taken to after their arrest following a shoot-out at their Castleyons homestead.

Here another plaque will be unveiled by Thomas Kent’s grand-nephew, Edward Walsh.

Following this the official renaming of Fermoy Bridge to Kent Bridge will be marked by the unveiling of a plaque, the laying of a wreath and the delivery of an oration by Michelle Drysdale.

The celebrations will conclude with the raising of the Tricolour in Pearse Square accompanied by the Lost Post and Reveille.

Fermoy 1916 Centenary Committee PRO Tadgh O’Donovan said a souvenir booklet produced to mark the occasion will be available on the day.

Thomas Kent (centre) and his brother William being marched into Fermoy over the bridge after the shoot-out at their home in Castlelyons, in which their brother Richard had been killed and another brother David shot and injured. Next Monday the bridge will be officially renamed in Thomas Kent’s honour as part of local commemorations marking the 1916 Rising.

“The committee, under the chairmanship of Cllr Frank O’Flynn, has worked hard to ensure this will be fitting tribute to the men and women of 1916 and something that the whole community in Fermoy can take great pride in being a part of,” said Mr O’Donovan.

“We are hoping that as many people as possible come out to join us on the day.”