Irish patriots remembered in Glasgow

DURING Easter weekend a number of commemorative ceremonies took place in several cemeteries in Glasgow and the west of Scotland, to honour Irish men and women who kept the national spirit alive among the exiles.

They rendered service in one or more organisations, including the Irish Republican Brotherhood, Briogaid na h-Albain, Óglaigh na hÉireann, Cumann na mBan, Na Fianna Éireann and Sinn Féin. The graves visited were those of Dennis Canning, Liam Gribben, Patrick James McGuire, Frank Kelly, Sarah Kelly, Sarah O’Kane, Michael O’Hara, James Skinnider, Jane Skinnider, Tom Brady, Liam Clarke, Alice Coogan, Seán O’Shea, Peadar Marron, Maire Marron, and Matt O’Brien.

The Republican historian and associate member of the National Graves Association, Stephen Coyle (above), read short biographies of each of the volunteers, which recounted their record of service in the cause of Irish freedom. It was noted that three of them took part in the Easter Rising.

The Proclamation and Republican Roll of Honour for Scotland were read, as were several poems by Patrick Pearse and Brian O’Higgins. Floral tributes were placed on the patriot graves. It was announced that a new headstone was donated by the Cornelius Colbert and Seán Heuston Irish Culture and Heritage Group and will soon be erected on the grave of Cork man Seán O’Shea who served as President of Sinn Féin in Scotland for 31 years.