On Sunday November 2nd last the sun shun bright in the sky as a crowd of young and old close to 500 gathered to remember those who fought for the freedom of their country. Following years of fundraising the local committee who were first formed in 1952 succeeded in their ambition to erect a fitting tribute to Ireland's best and bravest. The Piltown Cross ambush on November 1st was one of the biggest actions undertaken by the IRA in Waterford during the War of Independence, it was a hugely successful operation with a huge amount of arms and ammunition and ammunition being seized by the Flying Column. Two members of the occupying Crown Forces were killed in the ambush.
Sunday's Ceremony was Chaired by Liam Allen of Piltown, speakers at the event were Marie Keating Grand niece of the famous Pat and Michael Keating both of whom lost the life's in the fight for Irish Freedom. Ms.Keating spoke of hearing stories of her relations exploits during the War. '' These were ordinary young men, they played hurling and football had girlfriends and enjoyed life but they were prepared to give all this up and take to the Comeraghs to lead the fight for Freedom, we must also remember the brave women who supported the Volunteers, the girlfriends, wife's and mothers and the women of Cumann na mBan.''
A decade of the rosary was recited by Mr.Paddy Foley of Ardmore and was offered for all those who fought for Irish Freedom. Mr.Foley also spoke of the tradition of when men from the Active Service Unit entered a safe house they would join the family of the house in a decade of the rosary. He spoke of the famous safe houses of Mansfield's of Old Parish and Keatings of Comeragh and they many times these houses were wrecked by British Forces, yet these families never faltered and allows supported the men on the run.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of a number of local families who lost family members during the 1920's and a number of relatives travelled huge distances from Germany and the USA to be present for the unveiling. Wreaths were also laid on behalf of Fianna Fail by Cllr.Tom Cronin, Sinn Fein by Martin O Donnoll and on behalf of Oglaigh na hEireann by Cllr. Brendan Mansfield.
Chairperson Liam Allen then introduced the two main speakers Senator Labhras O Murachu Fianna Fail and Seanna Walsh of Sinn Fein. ''Seanna Walsh was the man who read the IRA statement on July 28th 2005 which ended the armed conflict of the past 35years, Seanna spent 21 years of his life in British prisons, a close friend of the late Bobby Sands and also a cell mate of Sands in 1981 during the Hunger Strikes in which ten young Irish men died in the fight for political status. It was because of his impeccable republican credentials that Seanna was asked to become the first person since 1972 to represent the organisation without wearing a black mask, like many other IRA veterans Seanna has put his shoulder to the wheel in the current phase of the struggle for reunification and played a vital role in the peace talks, he currently heads up the Sinn Fein Irish Language Department'' stated Mr.Allen.
'' I'm honoured and privileged to asked to say a cupla feacail here today, the fight these men began here 88 years ago is the same fight I was involved in. Unfortunately not all our country was freed from British Occupation and Republican's in the six counties had to option but to rise and fight this occupation.Today we see the British Army hold a march in the centre of Belfast, this is a disgrace and should that have been allowed. We must continue to push for a United Ireland we owe it to all those it died fighting for it. I would encourage people to go a see a recently released movie called 'Hunger' which depicts life in the H-Blocks during the hunger strikes this movie shows what we went through. All true Republicans must continue to fight for the Ireland as laid out in the 1916 Proclamation and must remember that historic document applies to all in the six counties aswell.'' concluded Mr.Walsh.
Next to speak was Senator Labhras O Murachu, the South Tipperary based Senator said '' the fight for unity must continue, we must retain of national heritage, our language our games our music. The men and women who rose in the 1920 were our heroes, I hope as many children as possible visit this marvellous monument and learn what our fore fathers achieved for us. We must not forget either our nationalist and republicans comrades in the six counties and what they went through and still endure under British Occupation. I wish to commend the local committee for the work they have done here, it shows that traditional committee spirit is alive and well, I particularly wish to mention the way they have got all strands of Republicanism working together with no political point scoring taking place. If Republicans of all colours joined together more often we could achieve a lot more.''
The strains of the last post hung high in the Piltown sky as the ever present Pat Ormonde once again paid his beautiful tribute to Waterford's sons.
As the Cork Hill Pipeband played Amhran na bhFiann the crowd sung a rousing rendition of National Anthem. Martin O'Donnoll of An Sean Phobail closed the event by singing the famous song 'The cross of Old Piltown'
'Every Rebel a hero from Piltown,Old Parish, Ardmore and down from the slopes of the Comeraghs with Dungarvan's true sons to the fore.
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