PHOTOS: Great Turnout For Thomas Ashe Commemoration In Tralee

Participants in the Thomas Ashe commemoration parade on Monday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

A GREAT Irish patriot was remembered in Tralee on Monday evening with a torchlight parade from Ashe Street to the Ashe Memorial Hall which was attended by hundreds of people.

The commemoration in memory of Thomas Ashe, who died after being force-fed while on hunger strike on September 25, 1917, was organised by Tralee Irish Volunteers in co-operation with Kerry County Council.

It was led by a colour party of the Civil Defence, the Killarney Gleneagle Brass Band participated as did more than 35 members of Tralee Irish Volunteers, local sporting clubs and others cultural groups such as Comhaltas and Conradh na Gaeilge.

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Samuel and Julian Behal participating in the Thomas Ashe commemoration parade on Monday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

Pupils from Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn also provided singing from the steps of the Ashe Hall, where Tommy Collins of the Tralee Irish Volunteers welcomed all to the commemoration.

Mayor, Norma Foley was just one of the people laying wreaths and an oration on the life and impact Thomas Ashe had on the fight for Irish freedom was delivered by Owen O’Shea, author of ‘Kerry 1916’. Mairead Moriarty, the grandniece of Thomas Ashe also spoke.

The very special evening ended with the national anthem. Well done to all on a well-organised night. Scroll down for photos…