Delany Brothers Commemoration

On December 13th last the annual commemoration in memory of Volunteers Jeremiah, Con Delany & and their friend & comrade Sean O'Donoghue was held. A Republican colour party & the Youghal Vols.Republican Flute band led those assembled from the grotto in Blackpool to the momunment on Dublin Hill where local Cllr.Thomas Gould gave the oration, Delanys Gaa Club were also represented.


Oration By Cllr Thomas Gould:

Dia dhiabh. Tá athas orm a bheith ann inniu.
I am happy to be here today to once more honour the memory of brothers Jeremiah and Cornelius Delaney and of Commandant Sean O’ Donoghue. We are standing here today at this monument to commemorate these men who were executed in cold blood.

The Delaney Brothers were attacked in their beds in the middle of the night of the 11 of December 1920 by British forces. Jeremiah died in his bed and Cornelius died a few days later from wounds he received. That same day the Black and Tans burned down the centre of Cork city.

For Cork Republicans and in particular north side Republicans the Delaney Brother’s monument is a special place. For some people this is a source of inspiration and for others it is yet another reminder of savagery that came from British rule.
As Republicans the Delaney brothers were highly active and were close friends of Tomás Mac Curtain who had been murdered earlier the same year, again by British Forces. They also worked closely with Commandant Sean O’Donoghue who was shot dead two years later on the Delaney Brothers farm by Free State Forces.

The Delaney Brothers joined the Irish Volunteers in 1913 and were involved in every aspect of the struggle. They were first and second lieutenants of F company of the1st Battalion of the 1st Cork Brigade. They were also active members of Conradh na Gaeilge and were involved with the Gaelic revival of their time. They were GAA men playing Gaelic Football with Dublin Pike and hurling with Kilbarry and often games were played on their father’s fields when no where else was available. When this is considered it is only fitting that Delaney’s GAA club is named after them and that the new entrance to Delaney’s is only across the road from this monument.

Like many other Republicans Jeremiah, Cornelius and Sean knowingly put their lives on the line for the cause of Irish freedom. They were selfless men who put our Country and our people before their own welfare. This type of sacrifice is completely alien to most people in today and especially this state current leaders can you image any of them volunteering like Jeremiah, Cornelius and Sean these were mighty men and a lot to aspire to.

This years Cork City Local Council local election saw Sinn Féin double it representation on the council to four. By building political strength we can build the republic that was envisioned by the United Irish men and in the 1916 Proclamation - a republic built on equality, justice and freedom.

The motto of the United Irish movement, founded by Wolfe Tone, was one word - Equality. However, inequality has thrived in this state as we saw last week in the 2010 budget. The people who put the country into this crisis get away Scott free and the ordinary people must bail us out the banks and speculators once again
I and my fellow Sinn Féin councillors are trying to work for the equality and fairness but it is slow and hard to break down years of cosy cartels, jobs for boys and buddy buddy politics. But with four of us now we are a force that the other parties fear.

Some people will be frustrated and angry at the pace of progress in the occupied six counties but remember that Sinn Féin is the only all-Ireland party and we are still fighting to achieve our aim of a united Ireland but through peace full means discussion and dialogue.

So in conclusion, In commemorating and celebrating the bravery of Jeremiah and Cornelius Delaney and of Commandant Sean O’ Donoghue and our other fallen comrades since then, I want to pay tribute to the volunteers and leadership of the Republican movement because it was there pivotal role in this phase of the struggle that has got us to this point and I commend their patience and discipline.

Jeremiah, Cornelius and Sean O’ Donoghue were men of vision and belief and even though they were brutally murdered their names and memory live on long after they have gone. We hope that next years 90 anniversary of the deaths of Jeremiah and Con will be marked by the holding of a number of events to commemorate them in a proper and respectful way. Go raibh maith agaibh go leir.