Markievicz honour is commemorated
The 100 th anniversary of Countess Markievicz being awarded the Freedom of Sligo on the 23rd July 1917 was commemorated at the week-end.
On display at City Hall were some artefacts and memorabilia from Sligo County Museum’s Markievicz collection.
The Sligo Champion on July 28th 1917 gave detailed coverage of Countess Markievicz’s welcome in Sligo Town over the weekend, from her arrival to Sligo by train on Saturday evening 21st July 1917 where she was greeted by a large crowd and a guard of honour.
The following day she attended a concert held in her honour in the Town Hall where the Sligo Champion described the scene as follows:- “The spacious Assembly room of the Town Hall was packed to overflowing on Sunday night.
“As soon as Countess Markievicz stepped onto the stage the immense gathering stood to their feet and applauded her for over five minutes.The official award ceremony was held by Mayor of Sligo Mr. D. M. Hanley TC in the Town Hall on Monday 23rd July 1917 at 8pm.”
The Sligo Champion reported the Countess, who was received with enthusiastic cheering, said: “Friends, a few months ago I should not have dreamt that this day would ever come, and I assure you it is one of the proudest and happiest days in my life.
“I can hardly realise the Lord Mayor and Councillors of Sligo conferring this honour on me a Sligo woman. It is like a bond that draws me more closely to my country, to the town of my birth and to my native land.”