An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir May 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 26 | by JASON MCKEVITT B.A., H-DIP.F.ED PhotoS SARAH FOSTER OF SJF PRODUCTIONS E aster Monday was a day to remember in Mullingar when the sound of the marching feet of soldiers was once again heard in this proud garrison town. the occasion was the unveiling of the new 1916 Memorial at the Green bridge, an area which is closely linked with the revolutionary period in the town. the idea for the memorial was first muted in late 2016 when Mullingar tidy towns began the process of looking at ways in which the Green bridge area of Mullingar could be further enhanced. While at the same time, marking the heroic sacrifices made by local Mullingar people who served in the Irish Volunteers/Óglaigh na hÉireann during both 1916, and also the subsequent revolutionary period in the town. A 1916 sub committee was formed by Mullingar tidy towns which consisted of Cllr bill Collen- tine (Chairman, Mullingar tidy towns), tomas Nally, Eamonn McGowan, Willie Collentine Jnr, Anita Kennedy, Ger o'Connor and Jason McKevitt (Local historian) who also had the honour of reading aloud the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic. both Jason McKevitt and Ger o'Connor served for many years with the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) in Mullingar, with Ger, only retiring in February of this year from the Reserves, having served almost 42 years. Ger is well known within military circles as the author of the Defence Forces publication, Medals of the Irish Defence Forces. As the construction of the memorial neared completion, decisions then turned to the day of its unveiling, which was planned for Easter Monday, 17th April 2017. The first decision was to request the Defence Forces as the contemporary formation of the Irish Volunteers, to partake in the unveiling ceremony. An Honour Guard consisting of the 'Gunners' of 2 Bde Arty Regt arrived from Custume Bks, Athlone to render honours on the day, under the ever watchful eye of RSM Noel O'Callaghan who was ably as- sisted by Bty Sgt Dinnegan, with the Flag Officer being another Mullingar resident, Lt Robert Duncan of the RDF component of 2 Bde Arty Regt. We were also honoured to have Col Ger Buckley of DFHQ present on the day. The Honour Guard was strate- gically placed around the seven trees which signify the seven executed signatories of the 1916 Proclamation. Indeed, it was viewed as a very symbolic gesture in which the members of the Óglaigh na hÉireann of today, displayed their dignified respect for those heroic members of the Óglaigh na hÉireann of yesterday. As the bagpipes were sounded by an Army Piper and the Irish orders of command were exhaled towards the Honour Guard, those present, including old soldiers, civilians and the descendants of those noble volunteers, grew that bit taller and prouder as they looked on in awe. MC for the ceremony was Eamonn McGowan, with speeches by Cllr Bill Collentine, Cllr John Shaw (Mayor of Mullingar), Tomas Nally, concluding with a history presentation by local historian, Jason McKevitt. The wreath laying aspect of the ceremony was also a mo- ment of deep reflection as, Willie Collentine Jnr, 1916 Sub-Com- mittee, Mullingar Tidy Towns, David Robinson, Chairman, Post 20, IUNVA and Tom Gunn, himself, a Jadotville Veteran and cur- rent Chairman, Mullingar Branch, ONE, placed their respective wreaths in a deeply respectful manner. Many a tear was shed during this poignant ceremony, as the Easter sun cast shadows, which interwove the Honour Guard and the Seven Trees as one. The ceremony concluded with the National Anthem, sung by the young students of Gaelscoil An Mhuilinn from Mullingar, as the Defence Forces provided the final salute on what was a most memorable day in the town of Mullingar. Local historian Jason McKevitt is a qualified teacher by profession and is both a Graduate and Post-Grad of Maynooth University. He also served 26 years as a member of the Reserve Defence Forces in Mullingar, four of which, serving as a mem- ber of the National Executive of RDFRA. Mullingar Remembers Mullingar Tidy Towns 1916 Sub-Committee L/R: Willie Collentine Jnr, Jason McKevitt (Local Historian), Anita Kennedy (Administrator Mullingar Tidy Towns), Cllr Bill Collentine (Chairman Mullingar Tidy Towns), Tomas Nally, Eamonn McGowan and Ger O'Connor. 2 Bde Arty Regt Honour Guard with members of C Coy, 6 Inf Bn, also present was Col Ger Buckley, DFHQ and RSM Noel O'Callaghan.

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