Easter Sunday is the most important date in the republican calendar, when Ireland’s patriot dead are honoured and remembered with respect and pride throughout Ireland.
At the launch, Liam Shannon, Chairman of the National Graves Association (NGA), emphasised the importance of Easter to Irish republicans and outlined the preparations for this year’s parade.
“We do this every year prior the Easter commemoration,” the veteran republican said.
“The Belfast Easter parade has a massive history and hopefully this year it will be a bigger parade than before. We want to encourage as many members of the community to come out and take part in the Easter parade to show that you are proud of our republican history.
“It’s also educational, there will be republicans dressed in the uniforms of past generations of republican soldiers, from those who fought in the 1916 Rising and right down the years.
“We will also look forward to the return of the Pikemen from Wexford, who will represent those who fought in the United Irish rebellion of 1798.”
Mayor of Belfast, Sinn Féin councillor Tom Hartley, spoke of the important role Belfast played in Irish republican history.
“Easter is a defining moment in Irish republican history.
“There is a deep history in this city. Irishmen had a 200-year democratic struggle and a defining moment in that was when one of the earliest, Charlie Monahan from the Short Strand area, was killed.”
This year’s NGA Easter parade takes place on Sunday, April 12, assembling at Beechmount Avenue at 1pm before leaving at 1.30pm sharp to march to the Republican Plot in Milltown Cemetery for the annual Easter commemoration. Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams will be the keynote speaker at the Republican Plot.
North Belfast Easter Commemorations are as follows:
Saturday 11 April: Whitewell Road
Assemble at 2pm for March to Bawnmore Memorial Garden, Prominent speakers.
Sunday 12 April: Carrickhill
Assemble 10.45am at 11am and march to the Carrickhill memorial
Monday 13 April: New Lodge
Assemble 1pm Carlisle Road for parade to the New Lodge Memorial Garden at Donore Court
Tuesday 14 April: Ardoyne
Assemble at junction of Herbert Street and Elmfield Street at 1.30pm, parade to the Ardoyne Memorial at Berwick Road
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