Fingal Volunteer Leader Thomas Ashe 100th Year Anniversary to be honoured by Fingal Old IRA Commemor
Thomas Ashe
Irish Republican Brotherhood
Died 25 September 1917
The Fingal Old IRA Commemorative Society 1916-1921, hold their annual commemoration at Rath Cross, Ashbourne on Sunday the 24th September. This year marks the hundred anniversary of the death of the Fingal Volunteer Leader Thomas Ashe who died on the 25th September 1917 while on hunger strike.
The commemoration will commence with the Fingal Volunteer’s Colour and Parade
Party and Black Raven Pipe Band assembling at Tesco Superstore Car Park from where the party will march to Church of the Immaculate Conception, Frederick Street, Ashbourne for attendance 12.30 am Mass, the Celebrant will be local priest Fr Ciarán Clarke. The Society has arranged for bugler Sid Kearns to sound, the Royal Salute, at the moment of the consecration. This salute of reverence adds to this sacred moment and all are uplifted by it.
Following mass the Parade Party of “uniformed and armed” Volunteer re-enactors and The Black Raven Pipe Band will immediately reassemble at Garristown Road and march from there to the adjacent Rath Cross Monument, arriving at 1.30pm.
Proceedings at the Monument will be introduced by the Chair of the Society Noel McAllister, whose three uncles and four of their cousins fought and secured victory, at this site, under the command of Kerry native Commandant Ashe on the Friday of Easter Week..
A group shot of The Tanaiste Joan Burton TD Senator Reilly The Mayors of Meath and Fingal, Brian Fitzgerald and David O’Connor and Fingal Old IRA Commemorative Society Members at the Rath Cross Monument 2016
A wreath will be laid in memory of Thomas Ashe and his volunteers by his grandnephew Padraic Ashe on the Monument. The design of the Monument was inspired by Thomas Ashe’s Poem “Let me carry Your Cross for Ireland, Lord.
The keynote address will be delivered by Minister Regina Doherty T.D. The minister represents the constituency of Meath East in which Ashbourne is located.
A pipers lament will be played in memory of Thomas Ashe. This will be followed by the sounding of the Last Post followed by the raising of the Tricolour and the playing of the Reveille.
The Black Raven Pipe Band which was founded by Thomas Ashe in 1910 will play the National Anthem to conclude proceedings.
An original Thomas Ashe banner from 1917
Schedule of events over the period from the 22nd to the 30th which The Fingal Old IRA Commemorative Society 1916-1921 are involved in:
1. Friday 22nd Glasnevin Cemetery 2.00pm
State ceremony to Commemorating Thomas Ashe’s death.
2. Saturday 23rd 1400hrs Lispole, Kerry finished by 1600hrs at the place of his birth a bust by sculpture Paul Darcy of Skerries will be unveiled. Those interested in travelling to this event should contact cathal Boland 086 2577672 for full details.
3. Saturday 23rd Lusk Community Council hosts an exhibition and reflective talk session in the Community Centre Lusk..
4. Sunday 24th the Fingal Old IRA Commemoration Society 1916-1921 host their annual commemoration at Rath Cross.
The day commences with attendance at 1230hrs at Mass in Ashbourne followed by reassembly at the Rath Cross Monument @ 13.30 hrs.
5. Monday 25th Lusk Community Council will host a ceremony at the “Proclamation Memorial” 1230hrs to 1330hrs confirmed.
6. Saturday 30th Lusk GAA will host this event which includes an unveiling of the Thomas Ashe statue by sculpture Paul Darcy of Skerries.
7. Saturday 30th Fingal Old IRA Commemorative Society will lay a wreath on Thomas Ashes grave in Glasnevin at 1.00pm. It will be exactly 100 year since he was buried there.
Note: Fingal Festival of History Newbridge House, Friday 29th Talk on Thomas Ashe.
The film commissioned by Fingal County Council “Fingal Finest” will be screened on Sunday 1st October as part of the Fingal Festival of History
Colour Party bearer Pat Kenny FOIRA taking the salute also pictured are members of the Black Raven Pipe Band.