“Today we are putting something right that should have been put right 20 years ago and that is the erection of this monument to the rebels of 1798,” said Fr Joe Kavanagh, Parish Priest, speaking at the Camolin Homecoming this afternoon.
Local historian, John G. Kavanagh, recalled events relating to the 1798 Rebellion that occurred in the vicinity of Camolin which set the scene nicely in an historic sense.
The 1798 memorial is dedicated to the memory of those who took part and lost their lives in the Rising and marking the 220th anniversary.
The memorial was unveiled by three local children, Ava Kenny, Denis Carter and Jamie Carter.
Wreaths were laid by John Doyle on behalf of Camolin parish and by Ray Murphy of the Enniscorthy Re-enactment Group.
Adrian Doyle (piper) and Anthony Nolan (bugler) played the Last Post and Revielle while Kathleen Kavanagh gave a fine rendition of ‘The Croppy Boy’.
Public representatives present included Cllrs Joe Sullivan, Johnny Mythen and Fionntan O Suilleabhain.
The United Nations Veterans, the Organisation of National Ex-servicemen (O.N.E.) Craanford-Monaseed ’98 Group, and Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Group participated in the ceremony which commenced with a march through the Main Street.
The well-attended ceremony concluded with the National Anthem.
Camolin Historical Society unveiled a plaque to the memory of Michael Joseph O’Loughlin, (1898-1928), who was the chief wireless operator on the SS. Vestris and went down with the ship while continuing herorically to sent out S.O.S. distress calls on November 12th 1928.
O’Loughlin was a 29 years old native of Camolin who studied wireless in Dublin and was employed by the Marconi Company and when the latter became incorporated with the British Wireless marine service he served with distinction in many parts of the world.
The plaque is located on the wall of Camolin Post Office where his father (Michael) lived and was sub-postmaster in the village. All six of his children attended Camolin National School.
Appropriately, the pleasant task of unveiling the plaque was undertaken by the present postmistress, Mary Doran.
The Camolin Homecoming continues tomorrow (Sunday) with the annual Patron and Blessing of Graves, a medieval fair, and a local production of ‘The Tinker’s Wedding’ by the Ballyoughter Drama Group directed by Jimmy Kavanagh.
“It is in our Irish DNA to celebrate and enjoy a party, and that is what this weekend is all about, remembering the past, enjoying the present and looking forward with hope for the future,” concluded Fr. Kavanagh.