21 April 2016: State commemoration for Sir Roger Casement, Ballykissane and Tralee, Co. Kerry

On Thursday 21 April there were two commemorative events for Sir Roger Casement in Co. Kerry. Casement was captured by the RIC at McKenna’s Fort, near Banna Strand, on Good Friday 1916, where he had been landed by a German U–Boat. He was then imprisoned in London, tried and sentenced to death. Casement’s landing in Kerry was one of the few significant events of the Easter Rising to happen outside Dublin.

The first event took place at Ballykissane Pier at 8am to commemorate the death of three members of the Irish Volunteers who had travelled to Kerry to meet the arms ship Aud. The second event took place at Banna Strand at noon and began with readings and a cultural element. The formal State Ceremonial commemoration then commenced, and was addressed by President Michael D. Higgins. This was the only State Ceremonial for the 1916 centenary that will be taking place outside Dublin.

The ceremony featured a reading of Casement’s speech from the dock, an introduction to Casement the man behind the politics, and a performance by the National Folk Choir from Siamsa Tire. The event was attended by members of the Defence Forces, local and national political representatives, family descendants, and members of the local community. This event was open to the public.

From the University of Notre Dame: read a special issue of the online journal Breac on the life and afterlife of Roger Casement.