Offaly veterans Easter Commemoration at Tullamore Courthouse

The fourth annual commemoration to honour the people of Offaly who participated in the Easter Rising, the War of Independence and the Civil War will take place in Tullamore on Easter Sunday, April 5 next.

Organised by Odran Condron, his mother, Brenda and the members of the Offaly Relatives Commemoration Committee, this year's event at the Veterans memorial at Tullamore Courthouse will remember two very well-known Tullamore men, Joseph Lee and John Finlay. Joseph is the father of well known publican and musician Joe Lee in Church Street, while John Finlay is the father of Charlie Finlay, who spent 38 years working at Tullamore Railway Station and is also active in local historical circles.

This year's Easter Commemoration in Tullamore is noteworthy for the fact that it marks the 110th Anniversary of the Easter Rising. It serves as a poignant reminder of the many local people who were involved in the events of that turbulent period of Irish history but whose names never appeared anywhere or they were never acknowledged in any previous Commemorations.

The event will consists of local historians, pipers, drummers and relatives of those who played any part in the fight for Irish Independence. Pat Doheny will lead Members of the Tullamore branch of the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE) who make up the Colour party. The event is non-political, it is not linked to any group or party and is open to the public so all are welcome to attend.

It is an honour for the Offaly Relatives Commemoration Committee to hold the Easter Commemoration event in Tullamore once again this year, and they are delighted to see it growing in popularity every year.