Laois Sinn Féin held their 1916 Easter Commemoration in Mountmellick on Easter Sunday, in their first Commemoration since the departure of former central figures Brian Stanley TD, Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley and Cllr Aidan Mullins.
A parade from O'Connell Square, led by the St. Joseph's Portlaoise Accordian Band and Sinn Féin colour party, marched the streets of Mountmellick to finish up at the United Irishmen monument on Wolfe Tone Street.
Pictured: A March through Mountmellick on behalf of Laois Sinn Féín, to commemorate the fallen in the 1798 and 1916 Risings
Attendees gathered to hear the speeches while Laois Sinn Féin Chairman, Aaron Kelly, chaired the Commemoration.
There was a wreath laying ceremony on behalf of Republican families, the local Brownie Gorman Patrick Phelan Cumann, and Laois Sinn Féin.
The Proclamation of Ireland was read by Adam Haughton, and the Laois Roll of Honour was read by local Sin Féin representative Lorna Garry. Dan Connolly gave a speech on the history of the monument.
"The Commemoration was held to honour the memory of 11 United Irishmen executed in 1798 and to affirm the enduring strength of Sinn Féin in Laois," a spokesperson told
the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
"This event brought together generations of republicans and community members in a powerful demonstration of unity and determination for a better, fairer, and United Ireland."
Pictured: Laois Sinn Féin Chairman, Aaron Kelly, who chaired the Commemoration.
Senator McCormacks address recalled the bravery of 18-year-old Willie Brock, a local hero from Mountmellick who was among those executed during the 1798 uprising.
“Willie Brock and his fellow patriots, who faced torture and death, embody the spirit of Irish freedom,” said the Senator.
She also paid tribute to other local figures of historical significance, including Patrick Phelan of Wolfe Tone Street—shot by Free State forces in 1922—and Joe “Brownie” Gorman from Rosenalis, who continued his struggle despite severe injuries.
The Senator highlighted her personal connection to Mountmellick’s republican history, by speaking of her great-grandfather Jim Lewis from Morette, who was the first Sinn Féin town councillor in Mountmellick.
“I often think how proud all those who came before us would be to see the growth of our Cumann and the strength of Sinn Féin in Laois today,” Senator McCormack said.
“Whether you’re standing here today as a second or third generation republican, whether you’ve come back to Sinn Féin in Laois, whether you now call this country home, or whether you're one of our up-and-coming Ógra members — this is our time. We are ready for this.”
Pictured: Attendees of the Sinn Féin Easter Commemoration with Senator Maria McCormack (middle)
The Laois Senator remarked that the sacrifices of 1798, 1916, and subsequent struggles remain the foundation for today’s political activism, and called on all republicans to unite in 'driving forward the vision of a united, fairer Ireland'.
The address also reaffirmed Ireland’s long-standing tradition of neutrality and condemned 'recent attempts to dismantle the Triple Lock', which Senator McCormack described as a 'dangerous departure from Ireland’s proud history of peacekeeping'.
Additionally, she voiced her solidarity with the people of Palestine, urging international action to halt the ongoing atrocities in Gaza.
The Sinn Féin Senator argued that the party is currently topping national polls, which she said 'illustrate the remarkable political momentum that has been building'.
The Senator expressed confidence that Ireland is 'on the threshold' of 'realising the dream of a 32-county republic.'
Sinn Féin is represented by 39 TDs and 6 Senators in Government.
