A Dublin Cllr whose grandfather and close relatives fought in the Easter Rising is urging people to wear the Easter Lily to honour, respect and remember those who struck a blow for Irish freedom, making the ultimate sacrifice as they did so.
Aontú’ s Swords based Cllr, Darren Jack Kelly, has a very personal link to the Rebellion as three of his ancestors were heavily involved with one sadly being shot dead.
His grandfather, granduncle and great uncle all took active roles both at the GPO and other battle sites across the city.
Cllr Kelly says
“I am immensely proud of the part my grandfather, granduncle and great uncle, played in the fight for Irish freedom. They were proud and brave Irish men
They were very active in the Fingal area and Swords area in the months and weeks leading up to Easter Week 1916.
My Grandfather Peadar Kelly and Granduncle, Jack Kelly, were from Swords and were heavily involved in the Battle of Ashbourne, which we know was a major success for the Volunteers.
Thomas Ashe was the commander in charge and was a personal family friend and on the orders of James Conolly, my grand uncle Jack was dispatched to the GPO to fight.
It appears Ashe thought he would be good fit to fight in the GPO.
Following the surrender Peadar and Jack were both arrested and sent to Arbour Hill prison and then interned in Frongoch (Wales)
On their release they resumed active service immediately and were captured and imprisoned for another period of time by British forces.
Sadly, my great uncle Peter Wilson was killed in action by a sniper’s bullet as he withdrew from the Mendicity institute during the 1916 Easter rising, he is buried on the grounds of the old Dr Steeven’s Hospital Dublin 8.
He had been a member of A company 5th Battalion of the Dublin Brigade and was just 41 years of age.
I am immensely proud of my family members who stood up and fought back against what was then the most powerful empire in the world.
I am also immensely proud of all the volunteers and members of Cumann Na mBan who had the guts, the determination, and the character to help us break free from British rule.
They may have been ordinary men and women in many ways, but they were actually extraordinary, and we will not see their likes again.
The immense gratitude we owe to those who sparked our nation’s freedom cannot be overstated. Wearing the Easter Lily serves as a tribute to their memory and as a reminder of the ideals and ambitions they pursued. Many of these goals are still unmet, so we must unite with renewed determination to achieve them. Our courageous ancestors, who stood against a mighty empire in 1916, were truly visionary and recognised as being so. They had a vision of a Republic that is confident and cherishes all the children of the nation equally. Aontú shares the same vision and values and is working diligently each day to make them a reality.
Please wear our Easter Lily and honour these principles and those fearless defenders of freedom ,equity and justice this Easter”.
Cllr Kelly will speak at Aontu’s Annual 1916 Commemoration at Arbour on Saturday 4th April. At 12 noon. All welcome.
IMAGES ATTACHED
Image 2 …. Back row left to right—Peadar Kelly ( fourth in ) MIDDLE ROW Jack Kelly (fifth in ) moustache and arms folded)
Image 3 ( Fingallians Football team)Back row …. Left to right — Back row left to right—Peadar Kelly ( fourth in ) MIDDLE ROW Jack Kelly (fifth in ) moustache and arms folded)
