Memorial festival in honour of Seán Treacy held in Tipperary

The Third Tipperary Brigade Old IRA Commemoration Committee recently ran a festival weekend centred around Kilfeacle and Thomastown, which celebrated the memory of Seán Treacy and the men and women of the Third Tipperary Brigade.

Friday evening saw a historical talk and slide presentation by historian Neil Donovan, on the life and times of Seán Treacy.

The talk which took place in Kilfeacle Community Hall was well attended, and the crowd were treated to a comprehensively detailed and entertainingly delivered speech.

Neil was able to bring forward new and unseen materials on the evening.

Saturday evening saw the committee host a musical evening in the convivial surroundings of the Sir Rowlands Pub in Thomastown.

Festy Kerwick provided a selection of traditional favourites on the night and got the crowd up and dancing.

The 104th anniversary of the death of Seán Treacy was marked on Sunday.

Father Coffey said the Annual Brigade Mass in Kilfeacle Church for Sean and for all the deceased members of the Third Tipperary Brigade.

The Dr O’Hurley Cashel Pipe Band then led a parade from the church to Seán Treacy’s grave, the swirling pipes as always, lending so much to the poignancy of the occasion.

The Committee Chair, Councillor Pat English, welcomed the large crowd and spoke of the importance of preserving the memory of those who had fought and died for our freedoms.

Wreaths were laid on the grave on behalf of the committee and a wreath was laid by David Sinclair at the nearby plaque to commemorate Volunteers Looby and Delaney, who were killed while in custody, near the graveyard.

Nuala Cronin Gleeson led the crowd in a decade of the Rosary as Gaeilge, before Paudie Taylor read the Proclamation of the Irish Republic.

The main oration was delivered by Dr Martin Mansergh and was a thought provoking and insightful look at Seán’s life, his times, his influences and his legacy. He spoke of the debt of gratitude we owe to that golden generation, commenting: “We should be in no doubt how much the independence we enjoy today as a Republic, and our freedom, imperfect and incomplete though it may be, owes its origin to a group of young people with their whole lives before them, who were prepared to put themselves at risk, when there was absolutely no guarantee of a favourable outcome”.

Dr Mansergh spoke of the progress we have made as a society and he offered hope for the future of Ireland, counselling all to find their own ways of contributing to, and improving, Ireland: “We have come some way towards addressing deep divides on our island, while recognizing that we still have many answers to find in achieving the best way to enjoy, peacefully
together, our shared island.

The Dr O’Hurley Cashel Pipe Band closed out proceedings with Amhrán na bhFiann.

Afterwards, the Sir Rowland's Bar provided refreshments and music, and the organisers thank Trevor McInerny and staff for the warm welcome they extended to everyone.