Local Fianna Fáil councillor Frankie Keena has called on the council to erect a memorial wall for the local heroes of the 1916 Rising.
Cllr Keena made the call at Monday’s meeting of the Athlone Municipal District (October 3 ). The councillor had originally raised the issue of commemorating all local participants of the Rising at April’s meeting of the District Council.
Sinn Féin councillor Paul Hogan commended the motion to construct a wall of remembrance. He suggested that local participation be researched thoroughly in order to compile a complete list of those involved.
Fine Gael councillor Tom Farrell supported the motion. He noted that visitors to Ellis Island in America are greeted by the names of all the Irish immigrants who arrived at the port on the island in search of a new life away from famine-stricken Ireland, and that something similar could be attempted in Athlone. He referred to it as “an opportunity to compile history” and something the council should do.
Fine Gael’s John Dolan suggested the formation of a sub-committee to take the project forward. The committee will consist of councillors Dolan, Hogan, Farrell, and Keena.
