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Thousands of republicans set to mark Easter Rising anniversary

Thousands of republicans are expected to attend Easter Rising parades across the north this weekend
Thousands of republicans are expected to attend Easter Rising parades across the north this weekend Thousands of republicans are expected to attend Easter Rising parades across the north this weekend

THOUSANDS of republicans are set to attend Easter parades across the north this weekend to mark the 102nd anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

One of the largest parades is expected to be in west Belfast on Sunday and organised by National Graves Association Belfast.

Assembling at Beechmount Avenue at 1.30pm, those taking part in the parade will make their way to Milltown Cemetery where the party’s northern leader Michelle O’Neill will address the crowd.

Falls Cultural Society and IRA ‘D’ Company will also hold a parade assembling at Barrack Street at 11.30am before marchers make their way to the Garden of Remembrance on the Falls Road where speeches will be made and wreaths laid.

The IRSP will gather at the Dunville Park on the Falls Road at 11am before proceeding to Milltown Cemetery where spokesman Ciaran Cunningham will give an address.

That march will be followed by the Worker’s Party parade which assembles at Beechmount Avenue at 2.30pm before making its way to Milltown Cemetery.

On Saturday Saoradh will also hold a march along the Falls Road to Milltown Cemetery where spokesman Packy Carty, from Tyrone, will speak.

Those taking part will gather at the International Wall at 2.30pm.

Republican Sinn Féin will hold a series of commemorations across Ireland over the Easter period.

One of its main events in the north will take place at the Edward Costello Memorial Garden in Lurgan’s Kilwilkee estate at 1pm on Saturday.

Outside Belfast, Tyrone National Graves will hold their annual Easter gathering on Monday in Carrickmore, Co Tyrone, at 3pm.

The 32 County Sovereignty Movement will support a parade organised by the 1916 Commemoration Committee in Dublin on Monday.

Participants will make their way from the Garden of Remembrance at 11.30am to the GPO where the proclamation will be read out.

It will then proceed to Arbour Hill for wreath laying and speeches.

Newly formed socialist republican group Lasair Dhearg will hold its Easter commemoration on Monday with those taking part gathering the main gates at Milltown Cemetery at 1pm.

The event will be preceded by a political tour of the graveyard by former prisoner and Blanketman Pádraic MacCoitir and end with a wreath laying ceremony and a speech from Belfast republican Pól Torbóid.

Republican Network for Unity will hold its annual Fianna Eireann commemoration at Ardoyne Avenue at 12noon on Saturday.