Republican Sinn Féin Kildare: Wolfe Tone Commemoration 2009: First Report

Members of Cumann na mBan & Na Fianna Éireann in Bodenstown, 14th June 2009.

BETWEEN eight hundred and one thousand Irish Republicans gathered, as we do each year in Sallins Village on Sunday June 14th last and marched in a well-organised fashion to the grave of Wolfe Tone, in Bodenstown Graveyard. The procession was led by uniformed members of Cumann na mBan, Na Fianna Eireann and a RSF Colour Party, and was very well received along the route by locals. The Thomas Davis Pipe Band from Cork, an extremely well-turned out and professional group, marched to and from the graveyard, never once missing a beat or a note as they done so. The proceedings were professionaly Chaired by Dan Hoban, Mayo, Peig Galligan (a walking encyclopedia of Irish Republicanism!) delivered a very fitting and respectful talk on the history of Wolfe Tone and those who supported the man and his objectives and Fermanagh Republican John Joe McCusker delivered a rousing oration, which was received with loud cheers by the large crowd gathered around the graveyard.

John Joe McCuskar, Fermanagh, delivering the main oration.

There was, as usual, a great 'buzz' and atmosphere about the whole day - even the harassment doled out by the nine members of the State political police couldn't ruin the day, try as they might. Their repeated interruptions were brushed aside and ignored by the large crowd, members of whom openly sneered at them and pushed back when attempts were made by these cretins to detain them. Overall, the whole event went as planned and was an honourable tribute to one of our Founding Fathers - Republican Sinn Féin are to be congratulated for organising this Commemoration, as are those who made the effort to attend. Well done to us all!

A full report and more pics will be published in the July 2009 issue of SAOIRSE', which will be published on Wednesday the 8th of that month.

from: 1169andcounting...