Large Crowds Attend Easter Commemorations Throughout District

: Columba O'Hare; Category: News; Published: 22 April 2025

Caral Ní Chuilín, MLA; Liz Kimmins MLA and Cllr Valerie Harte at the Newry Easter Commemorations. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Republicans across the Newry and Armagh area gathered on Easter Sunday to commemorate the 109th anniversary of the Easter Rising.

MLA Liz Kimmins and local Councillors joined the large crowd at the Newry event which saw North Belfast MLA Caral Ní Chuilín speak of the need to prepare for a referendum on Irish unity.

"The Proclamation of 1916 remains the mission statement of Irish republicans today - to reunify our country and achieve full nationhood for Ireland."

She described the current period as "a moment of great optimism and excitement," adding, "But now we must prepare - prepare for the holding of referendums in this decade - Prepare for the winning of referendums and prepare for the re-unification of Ireland."

Leading the Easter Parade in Newry. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Regarding the political situation, she stated: "In the north, there is a growing realisation - which has now moved beyond the nationalist community - that the British Government does not care about people here. It cares only about its own selfish interests."

She also reaffirmed support for Palestine: "The people of Ireland stand with Palestine, now and always."

In Crossmaglen, MLA Aoife Finnegan addressed several hundred republicans, saying: "One hundred and nine years ago, Irish men and women, gallant patriots, went out to break the connection with Britain, to achieve the freedom of Ireland, to establish a 32-county Irish republic."

She urged those present to commit to building "a new and united Ireland," adding: "100 years after the Boundary Commission report which copper fastened Partition and division, it is time to let the Irish people have their say in a referendum on Irish unity."

Wreath-laying ceremonies took place in Killean, Dromintee, Jonesboro, Inniskeen, Killeavy Old Church, and Lislea.

Sinn Féin representatives at the Camlough Easter Commemorations.

In Camlough, Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council, Councillor Sarah Duffy, stated: "Everyone has a right to remember their dead with dignity and respect, for Republicans, the Easter lily is a symbol of this remembrance."

She also condemned Israel's actions in Palestine: "The barbaric and inhumane actions of Israel are committed with impunity as the international community looks on."

At Armagh city's commemoration on Easter Monday, Senator Conor Murphy told attendees: "The prospect of building a new and united Ireland has never been so great. The debate on our constitutional future is live and growing by the day."

Murphy warned that Ireland's neutrality was under threat: "Ireland's long valued tradition of neutrality is currently under attack by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. We see their recent efforts to dismantle the Triple Lock protection."

He pledged: "Sinn Féin will continue to work to ensure the passage of the Occupied Territories Bill in the Dáil and to see that Ireland imposes meaningful sanctions on Israel."

In Keady, MLA Cathal Boylan extended "solidarity to the families of the patriot dead," while Newry Mourne & Down Councillor Declan Murphy declared: "As we remember today the generations of Irishmen and Irishwomen who paid the supreme sacrifice for the noble cause of Irish freedom, let us be clear - a united Ireland and a real republic is the only fitting monument to their memory."