Commemorations over Easter period
Republicans will be marking the 97th anniversary of the Easter Rising this weekend with a range of commemoration events.
Various republican groupings will be holding their own commemoration events throughout the weekend.
The Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP) will hold a wreath laying ceremony at the Republican Socialist plot in the City Cemetery on Saturday at 12noon.
An IRSP spokesperson said; “This is an annual event that commemorates not only the men and women who rose against the British in 1916 but also the volunteers and activists of the INLA and IRSP who in the footsteps of James Connolly gave their lives in the struggle for National Liberation and Socialism.”
This year’s event is earlier than in previous years to accommodate those who wish to travel to the Dominic and Mary McGlinchey commemoration in Bellaghy later that afternoon.
Republican Sinn Féin will be holding its Easter commemoration at the Cuchulainn monument in the City Cemetery at 12noon on Sunday where wreaths will be laid and a short ceremony held.
Sinn Féin will hold its commemoration on Sunday afternoon. It will assemble at the bottom of Westland Street at 2pm before making its way up Westland Street and Eastway to the City Cemetery where the main commemoration will be held. Pearse Doherty TD will deliver the main oration.
The 32 County Sovereignty Movement will hold its commemoration on Easter Monday at the republican monument in the City Cemetery, assembling at the top gate of the cemetery at 2pm. The main speaker will be Francie Mackey, national chairperson of the 32CSM.
