Cobh Centenary events to mark 1916 Rising

Series of nightly public lectures at Cobh Library 18-22nd April 2016

Monday, 18th April at 8.00pm – Dr. Michael Martin, historian and creator of the Titanic Trail, speaks on the story of the arms ship Aud

Tuesday, 19th at 8.00pm – John Jefferies, local historian, speaks on the story of James Connolly, John Dowling and the Cobh socialists

Wednesday, 20th at 8.00pm – Cllr. Kieran McCarthy, public representative, author and historian on “When Cobh came out – the story of the Cobh Volunteers in the 1916 Rising

Thursday, 21st at 8.30pm – Gabriel Doherty, UCC School of History – Cork’s Role in the 1916 Rising and afterwards (please note later start time for this lecture)

Friday, 22nd at 8.00pm – Tom O’Neil, Manager of Spike island on Spike Island and John Hennessy, Chair of Great Island Historical Society on the story of Patrick Leonard who inspired the first Irish tricolour

The major events of the week are on Saturday and Sunday 23rd / 24th April 2016

Saturday, 23rd April

At 1.00pm at Tay Road, Ballywilliam (near the old council reservoir) – Re-enactment of the Cobh Volunteers 1916 mobilisation. Unveiling of a plaque at the site.

2.00pm – “Volunteers” begin a march to town centre led by a lone piper from the original Cork Volunteers Pipe Band (this is the band founded by Tomás MacCurtain in 1913).

3.00pm – Unveiling of 1916 monument at West Beach / Pearse Square junction

4.00pm – music and song in the square

Sunday, 24th April

3.00pm – Gathering at site of former RIC Barracks at West View for dedication of Memorial Garden

4.00pm – Reading of the 1916 Proclamation of Independence by Paul O’Sullivan, Cobh 1916 Committee, outside the Courthouse / Cobh Library

4.15pm – Laying of a wreath at the James Connolly Plaque in Pearse Square (outside the Rob Roy)

All times are approximate and liable to change slightly