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23 Oct 2025
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23 Oct 2025
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Pat Dolan lays a wreath at the graveside of Volunteer Bernard Casey during the County Longford annual Republican Sinn Féin Easter Commemoration in 2017. Photo by Shelley Corcoran
As we mark the 109th anniversary of the Easter Rising 1916, it is appropriate that we also honour the men and women who 85 years ago engaged in a further gallant attempt to end British rule in Ireland and make effective the proclamation of the all Ireland Republic of 1916 and the Declaration of Independence and Democratic Programme of the first (32 county) Dáil Éireann in 1919.
One of the outstanding men of the 1940s who gave his life so that Irish people might control their own destiny was Bernard Casey, a Longford man.
Commandant Casey was shot dead in December 1940 while as an unarmed prisoner in the Curragh Internment Camp. At the time he was one of the 640 republican prisoners held behind barbed wire without charge or trial.
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County Longford Easter Commemoration Committee erected a fine memorial over Barney’s grave in 1976 with the help of Longford people at home and in New York.
The oration on that occasion was delivered by the President of Republican Sinn Fein Ruairi O Bradaigh, a native of Longford and long time associate of the Casey family.
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County Longford Easter Commemoration Committee donated a handsome silver trophy for Irish step dancing. It is named “Corn Brian O’Cathasaigh” - the Barney Casey Memorial Cup.
This year’s Easter commemoration will be held at the graveside of Commandant Bernard Casey at Killoe old cemetery on Easter Sunday, April 20 at 3pm.
A decade of the Rosary will be recited, the 1916 Proclamation will be read, the County Longford roll of honour will be read, wreaths will be laid. The graveside oration will be given at the grave.
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Wear an Easter lily and honour all those who made the supreme sacrifice for complete freedom of Ireland in every generation.
“The fools the fools” - they have left us our Fenian dead: and while Ireland holds these graves, Ireland unfree shall never be at peace. (PH Pearse).
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