Easter Sunday commemoration for Offaly veterans at Tullamore Courthouse
A commemorative event will take place this weekend to remember locals who participated in any way in the Easter Rising, the War of Independence and the Civil War. The event was held at the memorial for the first time in over 40 years in 2023.
The relatives and friends of Offaly Volunteers who fought in the 1916 Rising are holding an Easter commemoration on Easter Sunday, March 31 at 12pm at the steps of Tullamore courthouse in front of the Offaly Veterans Memorial. This is a family based event with no political ties to honour the parents, grandparents and friends of Offalians who fought in the Easter Rising.
The event is being organised by Odran Condron and his mother Breda again this year who will act as MC on the day. He has a number of family connections to the Easter Rising and the War of Independence. Odran's grandfather Sean O'Kelly was OC of the Offaly IRA Brigade and fought in the War of Independence. Peadar Bracken was married to Sean's sister Moira and he played a role during the 1916 Easter Rising. He was reputed by many to have fired the first shots of the Easter Rising. Sean's brother Seamus 'Jimmy' Kelly frm Mucklagh fought in the battle of Ashbourne under Thomas Ashe.
Odran said that he decided to organise the event as he grew up going to the commemoration for Offaly veterans at Tullamore Courthouse every Easter Sunday but that it was stopped in the 1980's due to The Troubles. “It's an old tradition that was there years ago that stopped but we just felt it was important,” added Odran.
He said that the first commemoration since the 1980's which was held last year was “great” and that a lot more people know about the event this year and want to get involved. “Everyone was very happy with it so we're going to do it again and do it pretty much the exact same as last year.”
The commemorative event will feature music by ex defence forces and a speech by Odran. Breda will read a poem about Tullamore Jail written by some of the prisoners in 1921 and wreaths will be laid at the memorial. The Proclamation and the Offaly roll of honour will be read out also.
The organisers would like to thank Breda Costello of Tullamore Courthouse, the Irish Courts Services and Neil Feighery who all helped in facilitating the commemoration.
At last year's event, Odran explained: “Offaly itself played a major role in Irish history, the Tullamore incident being one of the more notable with Peadar Bracken, Joe Wrafter and Seamus Brennan. Many frequently refer to this as the first shots of the rising.