The Irish Citizen Army led by James Connolly marched again from Liberty Hall to the GPO in Dublin yesterday, writes Christine Newman
Resplendent in uniform were some of the main figures of the 1916 Rising.
Comdt Michael Mallin was in reality Tony Gregory, who years ago broke with tradition and refused to wear a tie in the Dáil, but yesterday dressed in full military uniform, quipping that it was a little tight around the collar. Countess Markievicz was Liz McManus, Labour TD, looking commanding in uniform and hat with black cockerel feathers. Joe Costello, her party colleague, was dressed as an ordinary soldier complete with gun.
The re-enactment of the Irish Citizen Army march to Liberty Hall and then to the GPO began yesterday in the north inner city, where, as in 1916, local men and women participated.
At Liberty Hall, Connolly, played by actor Vincent McCabe, gave a rousing speech to cheers from the crowd, which became louder as the flag of the Republic was raised.
A large banner recalled: "We serve neither king nor kaiser, but Ireland."
A crowd of about 200 people had gathered by this time and were led by a piper down Abbey Street to the GPO.
Once in O'Connell Street, however, there was a last-minute change of plan. Republican Sinn Féin had taken up position in front of the GPO and was holding its own ceremony complete with flags and speeches.
Not to be thwarted, the Irish Citizen Army reassembled at the foot of Jim Larkin's statue, where the Proclamation was read by Dr Kathleen Lynn, played by actress Ruth McCabe.
The re-enactment was organised by the City Pavement Pageants Collective. Founder member Brian Treacy has a personal link with the Rising.
"On February 15th, 1950, Kathleen Lynn delivered me and now I have her flag," he said proudly as he carried the Plough and Stars at the head of the march.
Michael Mallin, aka Tony Gregory, said: "This north inner city area had a very important part to play in the Rising and there are families still here who had grandparents or great-grandparents who were in the Citizen Army."
Others present included Cllr Mick Rafferty and Séamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the NUJ. Not all who took part were locals. Jorge Araujo, from Portugal, who has worked in Dublin for six months, said: "I heard about the march and wanted to learn a little about the history."