Group aims to highlight local involvement in Rising

A small but dedicated Galway group – aiming to highlight the role of Liam Mellows in the Easter Rising – will hold a series of events over the coming weeks and months to reflect on the role played by Galway people in 1916.

The Liam Mellows 1916 Commemoration Group – a voluntary, non-political group – has members from Clarinbridge, Craughwell, Kilconieron and other areas.

They wish to reflect on what happened in Galway 100 years ago – something group chairman, Joe Murphy, feels is very worthwhile.

Liam Mellows 1916 Commemoration group officers (front – from left) Carol Kelly, PRO, Eamon Gilligan President, Kathy Keane secretary, with (back) Joe Murphy Chairman, Martin Greene Joint Treasurer, Niall Geraghty V. Chairman and Gerry Cloonan historian.

“The aim is to commemorate the events of 1916 in Galway, especially since Galway was the county that had the most significant rising outside of Dublin. Up to 500 men and woman went out in 1916 to make a stand for Irish freedom.

“We want to give people the chance to remember and reflect on the events of 1916, not just about the rising, but to remember the people of that time and what life was like in those days,” said Joe.

Highlighting the people themselves is of special importance to the group and they hope to emphasise the scale of the task the volunteers took upon themselves ill-prepared and ill-equipped.

“A lot of people who went out in the rising were farmers, farmer’s sons and labourers who were living in very difficult economic circumstances, hoping that freedom would bring better prospects for the future.

“The thing is, these people went out with no hope of victory against a British Empire that had very powerful military backing, whereas people who went out from the Clarinbridge, Craughwell, and the south Galway area didn’t even have guns.”

Mr Murphy also spoke about a couple of main events that will serve as the centre-pieces for their programme of events.

“At 12pm on Sunday the 20th of March we are having a commemoration, and a re-enactment of the events of 1916,” he said.

“Twenty-four pikemen from Wexford who actually commemorate the 1798 rebellion and dress in the attire of the rebels of 1798 are coming to Clarinbridge and they’re going to do a march that morning.’’

Also on the day, there will be an oration at the statue to Liam Mellows where the Galway Rising began. Local have also gotten involved in a video where they recall memories of the events of 1916.

“It involves a number of people from Clarinbridge, Oranmore Maree, Gort and other areas, who have given memories based on what their parents and grandparents said about 1916.’’

A plaque to honour Fr Harry Feeney, leader of the volunteers and chaplain in Clarinbridge at the time of the rising, will be unveiled on April 3rd in Clarinbridge.  A memorial mass for the volunteers, a plaque unveiling, and an exhibition at Carrabane N.S will be held a week later to round off proceedings.

To find out more about the upcoming events being held by the Liam Mellows Commemoration Group, you can do so at their Facebook page, ‘Clarinbridge 1916.’