Calls for Irish unity dominate Seán Mac Diarmada commemoration in Leitrim

Preparations for Irish unity must begin now, Sinn Féin TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn told crowds gathered at the annual Seán Mac Diarmada Commemoration in Kiltyclogher on Sunday.

The event, held in honour of the 1916 leader, drew people from across Leitrim, Fermanagh, Cavan, Roscommon and further afield for a day of speeches, music and wreath-laying ceremonies in the north Leitrim village.

The commemorative parade through Kiltyclogher was led by a republican colour party, with music provided by piper David McWeeney.

The ceremony at the Seán Mac Diarmada monument was chaired by Michelle Shyabo, while the platform party included Sligo-Leitrim TD Martin Kenny, Cllr Pádraig Fallon and Fermanagh councillor Anthony Feeley. Musical accompaniment during the event was also provided by Carrick-on-Shannon harpist Béibhinn Flynn.

Pádraig McSharry read the roll of honour, while the Proclamation of the Republic was read by Ciaran Rock before numerous wreaths were laid at the monument.

The keynote address was delivered by Donegal Sinn Féin TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, who used the occasion to call for preparations towards constitutional change and Irish unity.

Deputy Mac Lochlainn said planning for unity could no longer be delayed and called for the establishment of a Citizens’ Assembly, the publication of a Green Paper on Irish Unity and the creation of a dedicated ministerial unit to prepare for constitutional change.

He also launched a strong attack on the Government, claiming: “Our greatest obstacle to Irish Unity right now is Micheál Martin and this Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael government.”

During his speech, the Donegal TD invoked the legacy of Seán Mac Diarmada and questioned whether the 1916 leader would ever have accepted partition.

“Does anyone believe that Seán MacDiarmada from the border of north Leitrim and south Fermanagh would have meekly accepted the partition of Ireland and the abandonment of hundreds of thousands of nationalists in the Six Counties to the sectarian Orange State?” he asked.

Deputy Mac Lochlainn said republicans remained committed to the ideals of the 1916 Proclamation and paid tribute to republicans “who would not abandon their brothers and sisters in the Six Counties.”

His speech also referenced the 50th anniversary of Mayo hunger striker Frank Stagg and the 40th anniversary of Fermanagh republican Séamus McElwain, who was killed in an SAS ambush in 1986.

The Sinn Féin TD also criticised controversy surrounding a proposed memorial to Bobby Sands in Belfast, saying: “Everyone has the right to remember their dead with dignity and respect.”

Concluding his address, Deputy Mac Lochlainn said the greatest tribute that could be paid to Seán Mac Diarmada and those who fought for Irish freedom was to continue striving for the Irish Republic envisioned in the 1916 Proclamation.

“The greatest memorial that could be built to Seán Mac Diarmada and all of the heroes who fought and died for Irish freedom is to go on and build the Irish Republic promised in that beautiful Proclamation read out on the steps of the GPO in Easter 1916,” he said.

Following the commemoration, a well-attended talk was held marking the 50th anniversary of the death of Mayo republican Frank Stagg during a hunger strike.

Donegal TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn addresses the crowd in Kiltyclogher.