Sinn Féin veteran to speak at Carrickmore commemoration

SEVERAL hundred people are expected to attend the main Easter Sunday Parade organised by Sinn Féin which takes place in Carrickmore.

North Belfast MLA, Gerry Kelly, will be the keynote speaker at the Tyrone County Commemoration. The annual parade – which has taken place in Carrickmore for decades – will assemble on Main Street at 3.30pm, before proceeding to the Garden of Remembrance.

Mr Kelly said that the growth of Sinn Féin had coincided with progress towards a new, united Ireland which he added would deliver a ‘modern, inclusive and fair society’.

“Irish Republicans in 2024 are as determined as ever to realise the vision of the 1916 Proclamation – an independent, united Ireland, a real republic built on the foundation stones of equality and social justice for all.”

Events are also taking place at 40 other venues throughout Tyrone over the Easter weekend.

The chair of the Tyrone Sinn Féin Commemoration committee, Brendan Kane, said Easter was a time for Irish Republicans to ‘reflect and rededicate’ themselves to the legitimate goals of independence and equality.

“108 years on from the Easter Rising, the political landscape is completely transformed and momentum is building towards an Ireland based on the vision of the 1916 Proclamation,” he said.

“I call upon Republicans to make a special effort to attend your local commemoration and the main Tyrone County Commemoration in Carrickmore this Easter Sunday and to proudly wear the Easter Lily in memory of our patriot dead.”

On Easter Saturday, parades and events will take place at Castlederg Republican Monument at 4pm, at Strathroy in Omagh at 5.30pm and Trillick New Graveyard at 6pm.

Meanwhile, on Easter Sunday, other events will be taking place in Dromore at 10am, Cranagh at 10.45am, Trillick (Marlough) at 11.30am, Drumquin at 11.45am, Carrickmore (local) at 12.15pm, Strabane Cemetery at 12 noon, Loughmacrory at 12.30pm, Drumragh Graveyard at 1.15pm and Tattyreagh (Darcy’s Crossroads) at 6pm.