A Southern Unionist Perspective
During my childhood and youth in the 1950s and ’60s, historical commemorations were an ever-present feature of public life in the Republic of Ireland. Every Sunday, or so it seemed, members of the government and various other politicians attended a ceremony in memory of one or another of those who had died in “the fight for Irish freedom”. These events were reported fully on Radio Eireann, and subsequently on Telefis Eireann. The most frequent venue was Arbour Hill, though they took place at numerous places around the country as well, and mass or a decade of the rosary generally seemed to be a feature. Most of those attending – Eamon De Valera, Frank Aiken, James Ryan, Sean McEntee, etc. – were “Old I.R.A. men”, who had taken part in the events of 1916 – 22, remembering deceased colleagues with whom they had fought. Commemorations also took place, of course, for those who had taken the other side in the Civil War, but with Fianna Fail almost permanently in government during that period, their particular view held sway.
* Full article available in printed copies.
Wilfred Baker
Diocesan Secretary of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.