Ballinascreen parade to mark Easter Rising

A spokesperson for the Screen’16 group set up to mark the anniversary said: “This Easter weekend marks the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising, arguably the most pivotal event in modern Irish history.

Over the past year, Screen’16 has been running a series of events along with other organisations, to mark this centenary and to commemorate those men and women from this area who contributed to the cause of Irish freedom during those turbulent years.

“We will hold our 1916 Rising Centenary Commemoration in the centre of Draperstown/Baile na Croise on Easter Sunday 27th March at 5pm.”

The event will commence with a parade of the town by the South Derry Martyr’s band followed by a reading of the 1916 Proclamation and music from local artists.

The spokesperson for the group added: “This is our opportunity to register our appreciation for those who gave their lives that our generation and future generations would live in a free and independent Irish Republic.

“Screen ‘16 would ask everyone who can to attend this event and to show your respect for Ireland’s dead by wearing an Easter Lily.”

Meanwhile, Gerry Kelly MLA will be the main speaker at the Tyrone County 1916 Centenary Parade in Carrickmore on Easter Sunday at 3.30pm.

Chairperson of the organising committee, John O’Brien said the Tyrone Sinn Féin Commemoration Committee has organised over forty mobilisations throughout the county to mark this anniversary.