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Belfast Easter Commemoration to take place

Published: 10 April, 2009

The Belfast National Graves Association Easter Parade and Commemoration this year will see the return of Republicans in uniforms from yesteryear.

Republicans dressed as Irish Volunteers, Irish Citizen Army soldiers and Cumann na mBan members from the time of the 1916 Easter Rising will all take part in the parade from Beechmount Avenue to Milltown Cemetery on Easter Sunday.

There will also be republicans dressed in the uniforms worn by volunteers who took part in the border campaign of the 1950s.

Sinn Fein councillor Maire Cush said:

''It is important that republicans come together at the events at Easter to show solidarity with the families of those who died throughout the conflict.

''Thousands attend the National Graves Association commemoration every year and we are encouraging republicans from all over Belfast to come out on Easter Sunday and show your pride at being an Irish republican.

''Easter is also that time of year when we reaffirm our commitment to the achievement of a United Ireland.

''All of those dressed in the uniforms of republican soldiers of past generations will add to the fantastic atmosphere at the Easter parade and commemoration.

''A lot of effort has went into gathering all the material together and sourcing all the props, including the bicycles used by the volunteers of 1916.

''There is more planned for the parade to add to the uniforms to make for a memorable day and a proud and positive celebration of our republican history.''

The parade will assemble at Beechmount Avenue at 1pm and will depart for the Republican plot at Milltown Cemetery at 1.30pm sharp.

The speaker at the Commemoration at the Republican plot will be Sinn Fein President and West Belfast MP Gerry Adams.