Sfs odonovan rossa funeral reenactment

Walk in the footsteps of the leaders of 1916,100 years to the day, in a full scale re-enactment of the O’Donovan Rossa funeral in 1915.

Organised by Sinn Féin to pay tribute to the bravery, spirit and vision of the volunteers of 1916, the event features a recreation of the historical funeral cortege through the streets of Dublin, following the original route from City Hall to Glasnevin, finishing with Pearse’s graveside oration.

The cortege will feature marching bands, uniformed Irish Volunteer cavalry, horse drawn hearse and a community group, The Cabra Historical Society, will provide a 40-strong uniformed guard of honour. This will be followed by members of the public who can take part by wearing some period dress and become part of what was described in 1915 as “a veritable march of triumph”.

“We want to give the people a chance to participate in commemorative events and the O’Donovan Rossa re-enactment is the first event of Sinn Féin’s centenary programme,” said Bartle D’Arcy, Sinn Féin 1916 national co-ordinator.

“There is huge interest in 1916 now – the BBC are covering our re enactment of this funeral, which was the ‘Call to Arms for 1916’.

“You can be part of History this August 1.”

To participate, assemble at Dublin City Hall civic square at 1pm. The cortege will leave at 2pm and pass through Dame Street, College Green and up O’Connell Street en route to Glasnevin, arriving at 3pm for the graveside oration and Irish Volunteer tribute to O’Donovan Rossa.

A new Pete St John 1916 song, ‘The Spirit of the Gael’, will be performed for the first time by Red Hurley at the graveside.

Log on to sinnfein.ie/1916 for updates on attending the event and advice on everything from what to wear to traffic management and how to travel for this national event.

Email 1916@sinnfein.ie for queries.