THE men and women from Kerry who took part in the 1916 Rising were honoured in Tralee on Easter Sunday at the unveiling of a commemorative stone in Pearse Park.
The annual Easter Rising Commemoration organised by Kerry County Council saw a large attendance with relatives of those involved in the Rising joining local politicians and members of the public for the ceremony.
Dr Tim Horgan was involved in researching the involvement of those from Kerry in the Rising for the project and spoke about them in his address.
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“The year of 1916 encapsulates the essence of our national quest. It is therefore fitting that we recall here in stone, those who suffered loss of life or liberty in that seminal year,” he said.
“The names inscribed come from all corners of the county and it is expected that this monument will become a focus of interest not just for the people of Tralee and the county, but for all those who visit the magnificent attraction that is our town park,” added Dr Horgan.
The proclamation was read out by Grace O’Connor, a transition year student at Mercy Mounthawk. Aine Rice, a great grandniece of Rosalie Rice, one of two women on the memorial, laid a wreath at the monument.
Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Graham Spring, unveiled the memorial which has the names of 108 Kerry people who were arrested or incarcerated after the Rising. The stone was created by Billy Leen and is made from Valentia Slate. Scroll down for photos…
Since my grandfather Patrick J. Sullivan was from Kerry; Valentia Island, im so very proud to see this spectacular monument to ALL THE HEROES of 1916.Slainte