Great Day of Remembrance of Captain Richard Coleman
On Sunday the 2nd December, Fingal Old IRA Society in conjunction with Creative Ireland and Fingal County Council remembered local patriot Richard Coleman.
The day commenced with Richard remembered at the 11.15am mass in Swords followed by a parade in his memory of the National Colours supported by the flags of the Society and of the Mendicity Garrison. The Garrison flag was particularly important as it was there that Richard and other Swords men saw action in the course of Easter Week. The Parade route commenced at the historic Swords Castle making its way along Main Street to Café Tara the former site of the Coleman home.
Here St Peter Paula laid a wreath in memory of her uncle of Captain Coleman. A member of the Black Raven Pipe Band played a lament. While a brief outline of the significance of the day was given, all were invited to proceed to the Council Offices where the Last Post and Revalié was sounded. Local man Lar Daly, a nephew of Joseph Norton who had served under Coleman, read the Proclamation.
The Society in conjunction with the County Council invited all to a reception in the Atrium. Here was a great display of material collected by the Society and the Council. There is some really good stuff in these collections. When gathered had time to socialise and examine the exhibition a talk followed on “Richard Coleman his time, family and comrades”. This talk was delivered by Councillor Cathal Boland Chair of the Society who is now emerging as something of an expert on the history of the past two centuries Fingal. Cathal introduced some exciting takes on the individuals and the period along with world happenings which shaped and influenced events here in Ireland.
The Society expressed appreciation to Fingal County Council and creative Ireland for their considerable support in hosting the day. They also thanked the Mayor Cllr Lavin, and the Councillors present Cllr Butler, Dennehy, Mulville and Boland.