The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
THE 100th anniversary of the election of Éamon de Valera at the 1917 East Clare By-Election will be marked by a series of commemorative events in Ennis later this month.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Síle de Valera, grand-daughter of de Valera and former Clare TD, will attend the events planned for Saturday, July 22.
The commemorative events will take place at the Old Ground Hotel at 2pm and will include lectures from noted historians, music by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éíreann and a photographic and election memorabilia exhibition.
Deputy Martin will make an address to the audience.
Following the activities in the hotel, a full dress parade, led by a brass band, will march, led by Micheál Martin and Síle DeValera, from the Old Ground Hotel to the O’Connell Monument – the site of some of Éamon de Valera’s most famous speeches.
At the O’Connell monument, there will be a re-enactment of the announcement of the election of de Valera, in addition to a number of key moments in his political life.
Síle deValera, who served the people of Clare for 20 years in Dáil Éireann, will then deliver a keynote address outlining the impact of her grandfather’s election 100 years ago for the republican cause, as it sought to gather itself together and re-group following the Easter Rising a year before.
“This is an event that is not to be missed. If you have an interest in politics, history or just our own county of Clare, make sure your come along and join us in remembering one of the most pivotal events in Irish history,” said local Fianna Fáil TD, Timmy Dooley.
Meanwhile, a call has gone out for relatives of those who assisted in Éamon de Valera’s 1917 election campaign to participate in the centenary celebrations. Those who wish to do so can contact any Clare Fianna Fáil Cumann officer or Mary Crawford before the commemoration events on July 22.
