Galway Bay Fm newsroom-
Several hundred people attended a special ceremony held at County Hall yesterday (1st January 2016) to mark the start of the centenary year of 1916 and the strong connections between the County of Galway and the Easter Rising.
County Hall was filled to capacity as the Defence Forces, Galway Branch of the United Nations Veteran’s Association, Galway Comhairle na nOg and St. Patrick’s Brass Band contributed to the event. Guests of honour were the relatives of Galway men and women of 1916 including Mary Gallagher, a Grandniece of Éamonn Ceannt, Signatory of the Proclamation and native of Ballymoe.
The event included the unveiling of large scale hand-painted replica of the Proclamation by the Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, Cllr. Peter Roche and Kevin Kelly, Chief Executive, Galway County Council. The unveiling was accompanied by a piece of specially commissioned music on the uileann pipes composed and performed by Ger Fahy. The Proclamation, based on the original edition, and measuring five meters by three meters, represents one of the largest every produced and will remain on display at the offices of Galway County Council for the centenary year. Captain Damien Kelleher, An Chéad Cathlán, (1st Battalion) Dhún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Galway read the Proclamation
An exhibition based on the seven signatories of the Proclamation, comprised of specially commissioned print images of the Signatories, was also formally opened, with contributions from County Galway Comhairle na nOg, outlining the significant role played by the Signatories to the Proclamation in the events of Easter week 1916 and the special ties of Éamonn Ceannt and P. H. Pearse to the County of Galway.
The Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway was joined by Mary Gallagher (grandniece of Éamonn Ceannt) in presenting a specially commissioned print image of Éamonn Ceannt to Martin McHugh of Ballymoe for display in the local community.
The ceremonial event concluded with a Flag Raising led by Captain Damien Kelleher and members of the Defence Forces from An Chéad Cathlán, Dhún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Galway. The Irish Republic Flag, as flown over the GPO during Easter week 1916, the Maroon & White of Galway and the Tricolour were raised in a ceremony involving the Galway branch of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association and concluded with St. Patrick’s Brass Band playing the National Anthem.
The post Hundreds attend Easter Rising Commemoration in Galway appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.