Republicans throughout the Newry and Armagh area turned out in large numbers to remember the Easter Rising of 1916.
MLA Liz Kimmins and local councillors were amongst the large attendance at the Newry commemoration.
Main speaker Carál Ní Chuilín told those at the event that the Proclamation of 1916 “remains the mission statement of Irish republicans today – to reunify our country and achieve full nationhood for Ireland”.
She added: “At Easter we stand at sacred places, on hallowed turf, to honour those who struck for freedom in 1916 and in every generation since. We honour and remember our patriot dead, including those of our comrades who have passed away since last Easter.”
The North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA said that this was a moment of great optimism.
“We are living in a time of change in Ireland. We are in the end days of Partition. The opportunities for our people are immense.
“This is a moment of great optimism and excitement. But now we must prepare – prepare for the holding of referendums in this decade – prepare for the winning of referendums and prepare for the reunification of Ireland.”
Speaking about the ongoing political situation, the Sinn Féin elected representative told those present: “In the North, there is a growing realisation – which has now moved beyond the nationalist community – that the British Government does not care about people here. It cares only about its own selfish interests.
“Those here who were cheerleaders for a British Labour Government now find their seats beside their friends on the British Government benches increasingly uncomfortable.
“The current cuts to services and the militarisation agenda of the British Government is yet another of countless examples that the future for Ireland, North and South, lies in the unity, sovereignty, and freedom of the Irish people – in a united Ireland.”
At the commemoration in St Mary’s Cemetery in Newry, the MLA reaffirmed the continuing support for the Palestinian people.
“The people of Ireland stand with Palestine, now and always. Irish republicans stand with Palestinians in our activism, our solidarity, in our unwavering desire to see their freedom. The slaughter must end. The international community must act now to ensure a permanent ceasefire.”
Easter 1916 commemoration wreath-laying ceremonies took place at St Mary’s Monument, Barley Lane, and Ballybot Monument.
Speaking at the annual 1916 Rising commemoration in Crossmaglen on Easter Sunday morning, Newry & Armagh MLA Aoife Finnegan told the several hundred republicans in attendance:
“One hundred and nine years ago, Irish men and women, gallant patriots, went out to break the connection with Britain, to achieve the freedom of Ireland, to establish a 32-county Irish republic.
“Our revolutionaries and Volunteers were ordinary people who did the extraordinary for their country. They fought, and many laid down their lives, for the dream of an independent Ireland – to restore our ancient nationhood.”
The MLA continued: “We remember and we recommit to the cause of Irish freedom, the cause of equality, and the cause of Irish unity.”
Ms Finnegan, reflecting on those republicans from the area who had passed away this year, said: “This year, like all years, we have lost comrades to age and ill health. We grieve. The pain is real. The memories still vivid.”
The South Armagh MLA urged all present to commit to building a new united Ireland.
“Let us use Easter to commit ourselves to building a new and united Ireland – an Ireland for all our people. We have an opportunity to end the union, to end Partition, and build a new and united Ireland,” she said.
The MLA, who was also the main speaker at the annual Easter Sunday afternoon commemoration in Cullyhanna, continued: “100 years after the Boundary Commission report which copper-fastened Partition and division, it is time to let the Irish people have their say in a referendum on Irish unity.
“A new and united Ireland must be about more than adding the North to the South. It is not a 32-county Free State. It is a new republic – the republic of Tone and Connolly, Markievicz and Farrell, Sands and McGuinness.
“The challenge for us, for this generation of republicans, is how we shape that change – how we build a new and united Ireland.
“An Ireland of prosperity and opportunity. An Ireland of equal rights in which everyone has a place. An Ireland that provides jobs, homes and healthcare for its citizens.
“An Ireland that promises the security of a roof over your head and fair pay for a fair day’s work.
“An Ireland where no family lives in fear of the knock on the door from a landlord or illness, where no one has to choose between heating a home or feeding a family.
“An Ireland of reconciliation and peace. An Ireland where everyone has a place in society and a chance to succeed.
“An Ireland where the politics of the past – the nod-and-wink politics and the sleveen politicians – remains in the past.”
Throughout South Armagh over Easter, wreath-laying ceremonies took place in Killean, Dromintee, Jonesboro, Inniskeen, Killeavy Old Church, and Lislea.
At the annual wreath-laying in Dromintee, Louth County Councillor Antóin Waters was the main speaker.
On Easter Monday in Belleeks, lifelong republican Seán Hughes addressed the annual commemoration.
A large crowd marched from Camlough village to the Republican plot in St Malachy’s Graveyard on Easter Sunday morning. Veteran republican and ex-internee Jim McGuinness, who was back in Ireland for Easter, laid the wreath on behalf of the republican movement.
At the annual commemoration, those in attendance heard Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council, Cllr Sarah Duffy, state that everyone had a right to remember their dead with dignity and respect.
“Every year, republicans across Ireland and internationally come together to remember all those who have played their part in the struggle for Irish freedom.
“At a local level, it is an opportunity for us to stand side by side with the families of our patriot dead and join them in remembrance of those they have lost.
“Everyone has a right to remember their dead with dignity and respect. For republicans, the Easter lily is a symbol of this remembrance.”
Cllr Duffy also condemned the inhumane actions of Israel on the Palestinian people.
“Our generation’s struggle for nationhood was the struggle of a people longing for the freedom of our homeland, of our beautiful country. That is the dream of the Palestinians also.
“Today, the people of Gaza endure genocide. The barbaric and inhumane actions of Israel are committed with impunity as the international community looks on.
“The people of Palestine continue to endure seven decades of apartheid, of brutalisation, of their human rights being erased.
“The people of Ireland stand with Palestine, now and always. Irish republicans stand with Palestinians in our activism, our solidarity, in our unwavering desire to see their freedom. The slaughter must end. The international community must act now to ensure a permanent ceasefire.”
Speaking at the main Armagh city commemoration on Easter Monday, Senator Conor Murphy told those present:
“On Easter Monday 1916, a band of brave patriots rose up in defiance of British rule and struck for their freedom.
“These men and women – workers, trade unionists, gaelgeoirí, feminists, educationalists – republicans all – inspired revolutionary ideals that defined an epoch and continue to inspire united Irelanders to this day. For over a century, republicans have remembered their actions and sacrifices with pride.
“The prospect of building a new and united Ireland has never been so great. The debate on our constitutional future is live and growing by the day. It’s long past time that the Irish Government got serious about planning for our constitutional future.
“They must move to establish a Citizens’ Assembly on Irish unity to give citizens from all backgrounds the opportunity to have their say on our own future.
“Sinn Féin’s strong all-Ireland team will continue to work hard to plan and prepare for a referendum on Irish unity, and to build a brighter future for workers and families across Ireland.”
The Senator also warned that Ireland’s tradition of neutrality is under attack.
He stated: “Ireland’s long-valued tradition of neutrality is currently under attack by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. We see their recent efforts to dismantle the Triple Lock protection. It is a precursor to sending young Irish men and women off to die in military misadventures and imperialist conflicts that have nothing to do with the interests of Ireland.
“The parallels with a century ago are stark – when Irish people were implored by the British Empire to fight under the Union Jack for the ‘Freedom of Small Nations’, while our own country remained under the heel of colonialism. We have learned the lessons of history well.
“The values of the Irish people are steeped in opposition to war, anti-imperialism, the values of diplomacy and peace.
“Sinn Féin will fight back against these attempts to dismantle our neutrality with everything we have got. We will campaign on the streets, in communities, right across Ireland.”
Speaking about the ongoing atrocities by Israel in Gaza, the Irish Senator pledged: “Sinn Féin will continue to work to ensure the passage of the Occupied Territories Bill in the Dáil and to see that Ireland imposes meaningful sanctions on Israel.”
Wreath-laying ceremonies took place in Carnagh, Tullysaran, Clea Road, Mullanary Road, and An Port Mór.
On Easter Sunday morning, speaking at the annual Easter Rising commemoration in Keady, local MLA Cathal Boylan extended solidarity to the families of the patriot dead, saying:
“Easter is a time when we republicans remember our patriot dead – the generations that gave their all to build an Irish Republic.
“An Irish Republic of equal citizens, sovereign and free.
“At Easter, we remember all those who gave their lives in the pursuit of Irish freedom and independence. We extend solidarity to their families and friends.”
Newry, Mourne & Down Councillor Declan Murphy, speaking at the annual commemoration, told those in attendance that a united Ireland was the only fitting memory for those Irish men and women who had paid the supreme sacrifice.
The Slieve Gullion Sinn Féin elected representative declared: “As we remember today the generations of Irish men and women who paid the supreme sacrifice for the noble cause of Irish freedom, let us be clear – a united Ireland and a real republic is the only fitting monument to their memory.
“And let us be equally clear that the Irish republicans of 2025 are as determined to achieve those objectives as were those whom we honour today.”
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