REPRESENTATIVES of Church and State joined with the people of Killucan, Raharney and Rathwire, and from throughout Westmeath and further afield, in 1916-2016 centenary commemorations honouring 1916 leader Capt. Denis O’Callaghan, Lunestown Killucan, last Sunday, 7 August.
Denis O’Callaghan was a contemporary of Padraig Pearse and James Connolly and was Captain, A Company, 1st. Battalion, Dublin Brigade during the 1916 Rising, taking some 20 British soldiers and some ancillary workers as prisoners.
He was condemned to be shot by firing squad in Kilmainham Jail with the other leaders, until his death sentence was commuted to prison in the Frongoch internment camp in Merionethshire, Wales.
In 1914 Denis O’Callaghan played a significant role in the Howth gun running in 1914 and sailed out in a boat to meet Erskine Childers’ yacht, the ‘Asgard’.
He was for a time also commander of the Irish Volunteers in Mullingar.
The family grave of Denis and Kathleen (née Flanagan) O’Callaghan and their son, Seán, are in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Rathwire, Killucan, where the ceremonies took place after 11.30am Mass in St. Joseph’s Church, Rathwire, celebrated by Fr. Richard Matthews, PP.
IUNVA MILITARY HONOURS
Members of Midlands Post 20 of the Irish United Nations Veterans’ Association (IUNVA) and members of the Mullingar branch of the Organisation of National Ex-servicemen and women (ONE) were among those who attended the 11.30am Mass as part of the commemoration, and, with members of the extended O’Callaghan and Flanagan families, public representatives, and members of the public, they paraded from the church to St. Joseph’s Church, Rathwire, Killucan.
The IUNVA members were led by Eddie Robinson, Mullingar, the National Chairman of the Irish United Nations Veterans’ Association, and IUNVA piper Anto Byrne, the Pipe Major of the IUNVA Pipe Band, Dublin, led the entrance procession into the church for the start of Mass.
An IUNVA Colour Party, carrying the Irish Flag, the UN flag, and the IUNVA flag, rendered honours during the consecration and elevation of the host and chalice during the Mass, and the Pipe Major and Colour Party also led the parade from the church to the cemetery for the remainder of the centenary commemoration ceremonies, where they also provided honours.
STATE TRIBUTES
Representing Dáil Éireann and the Houses of the Oireachtas at the Mass and ceremonies was Willie Penrose, TD (Lab.) and former Senator and TD, Donie Cassidy (FF), while representing Westmeath County Council was its Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Frank McDermott (FG).
Donie Cassidy was the master of ceremonies for the ceremonies in Rathwire Cemetery, Cllr. Frank McDermott gave an address there on behalf of Westmeath County Council and the people of Westmeath, acknowledging the roles of Denis O’Callaghan and the other 1916 in the 1916 Rising and in the early history of Ireland, and Deputy Penrose read an exact replica of the 1916 Proclamation.
The ceremonies in the cemetery took place at the crucification Cross and altar, which also has a memorial to all from the greater Killucan and Raharney areas who served as members of the Defence Forces since the foundation of the State.
THANKS TO ALL
At the centenary commemoration in Rathwire Cemetery, Mickey Flanagan, Raharney gave an oration detailing aspects of the life and times of his great-uncle Denis O’Callaghan and great-aunt Margaret (Peg) O’Callaghan, and he extended thanks to all on behalf of the extended O’Callaghan and Flanagan families.
Thanks were expressed to all who attended,and all who took part in the ceremonies, including the members of IUNVA and ONE, as well as to Garda Enda Browne and the members of An Garda Síochána for traffic control at the church and at the junction with the Kinnegad Road.
Mr. Flanagan had special words of praise and thanks for Liam Lynch, Rathwire, Killucan who was instrumental in organising the centenary commemoration.
PRAYERS AND WREATHS
During the ceremonies Fr. Gabriel Flynn led prayers and a decade of the Rosary. Three wreaths were laid at the memorial, the main one by former Raharney hurler, Mickey Flanagan, who is a great-nephew of Margaret O’Callaghan (née Flanagan, Raharney), wife of Capt. O’Callaghan.
The National Chairman of the Irish United Nations Veterans’ Association, Eddie Robinson, Mullingar laid a wreath on behalf of IUNVA and Mick Carey, Lunestown, Killucan laid the third wreath.
A lament was played on the bagpipes by IUNVA Pipe Major Anto Byrne, while the Last Post and Reveille were played by Paul Kiernan, trumpet, and Joe Murray, drums, Mullingar.
The centenary ceremonies concluded with the playing of the Irish National Anthem , led by the IUNVA Pipe Major.