Rebel Enniscorthy Dawn visit

On 22/10/16 I visited some rebel sites/memorials in Enniscorthy County Wexford. Enniscorthy had its part to play in 1798 and 1916. Below are some pictures on the visit.

Some more words for the 1916 Rising Centenary

Here are some more poems written for the 1916 Rising Centenary in memory of all those men and women who took part. God bless them all.

A Nation to be

 

 On the roof of the GPO,

Flags were raised by the Volunteers.

Unfurling in the breeze to show

Time had come after all these years.

One captured the proclamation,

The other, the nation to be.

A symbolical expression,

Still transforming, this country free.

 

 

Hibernia awaken

 

Hibernia, Hibernia, arise;                                           

For your children, are calling you, once more.                      

Wake up, wake up, can you not hear their cries,                  

No time for rest, it is you, they ask for.                                 

The past is present; please open your eyes,                         

The wheel of history is at your door.                                     

Your sons and daughters ponder what to do                                     

In this centenary year, déjà vu.                                             

 

The Siblings still argue and shout and fight;

So your intercession is now required.

The young class of nineteen sixteen did write

A letter to you on what they desired. 

Still relevant today, a second sight;

So look upon those words and be inspired.

What did they mean, what was left unfinished?

Their strength and influence undiminished.

 

So get it Hibernia, get it now: 

She sat a moment, collecting her thought.

Reaching for the letter; she wondered how,

How did this happen? She knelt down distraught.

Reading the poignant words she did allow,

Memories to flood back through tears not caught.

Standing up composed she embraced them all

And began to tell them about their call.

 

 I will read aloud this letter to you

To apprise you, of what it means today.

Your differences I will not eschew;

I will cherish you all in the same way.

How far you have come.  How much more to do.

You must work as one and not give away:

Your Religious and civil liberties,

Prosperity and opportunities.

 

You see Hibernia, you cannot rest:

Your children still need attention and care.

They are not quite ready to fly the nest,

Help them to understand, accept and share.

With each individuals needs addressed

With the group united and more aware.

Prepare them for their hard journey to come 

And when they are en route you can rest some.

 

 

 

 

 

Colt 1916 Memorial , Portlaoise, County Laois , Ireland

On the 23rd April 2016, I visited the Colt 1916 Memorial, just outside Portlaoise, County Laois. A 100 years to the day when the men and women from Laois under orders from Patrick Pearse, the Laois volunteers commenced operations of the 1916 Rising.

Below are some pictures taken at the Memorial along with the  text on the Plaque.

 

Text of Plaque:

 

FIRST SHOT IN 1916 RISING

On Easter Sunday night, 23rd April, 1916, acting under the direct orders of Patrick Pearse, the Laois Volunteers participated in the demolition of a section of the Abbeyleix-Portlaoise railway line at a location near here.

The purpose of this exercise was to prevent British military reinforcements from reaching Dublin via Waterford after the Rising had started. This demolition was followed by the firing of the first shot of the 1916 Rising.

Other activities engaged in by the Laois Volunteers included an attempted similar demolition of the Carlow-Kildare railway line and a raid on Wolfhill R.I.C. Barracks.

This Memorial has been erected in honour of the Laois Volunteers listed below, as a tribute to their foresight, bravery and enterprise.

Eamon Fleming O/C – The Swan

Patrick J. Ramsbottom Vice O/C – Portlaoise

Lorcan O’Brádaig Q.M. - Lalors Mills

Thomas F. Brady – Lalors Mills Michael Gray – Portlaoise

Patrick Muldowney – Portlaoise John Muldowney – Portlaoise

Colum Holohan – Portlaoise Michael Walsh – Portlaoise

Terence Byrne – Knockalde James Ramsbottom – Fossey

Patrick J. Fleming – The Swan Noreen Brady – Lalors Mills

Michael J. Sheridan – Portlaoise John Frawley – Wolfhill

Kathleen Brady – Lalors Mills Seán Maguire – Dublin

Mrs May Conroy (nee Brady) – Lalors Mills

Breda Conroy (nee Brady) – Lalors Mills

23rd April 2016 - Pictures of the Colt 1916 Memorial

 

Check out the following link for a good account of the activities of the Laois Volunteers
http://www.storiesfrom1916.com/1916-easter-rising/the-first-shot/.