‘We want to be able to pass on the stories’

Handing down our national history to the next generation was a priority for many at the parade, writes Caroline O’Doherty.

GRANNY was a gunrunner and grandad was interned but their family’s only regret is the discreet pair rarely spoke about their experiences in 1916.

“She kept very quiet about it,” said Sean Coffey of the surprising secret life of his grandmother, Rose Kenny.

“It was only after she died that an uncle of mine made inquiries and we got her records.

“It turned out she ran an ammunitions factory, otherwise known as No. 3 Ulster Terrace on the North Strand. She repaired guns with springs out of alarm clocks and she actually bought guns too - from the British, however she managed that.

“My grandfather, Charles, was a plumber so he was able to get the lead to make the buckshot. He was interned in Crumlin Road Prison in Belfast and was very badly treated.

“My grandmother was never arrested but the house was searched a few times. They found her doing her knitting once only she had hand grenades hidden underneath the wool.”

Sean was at yesterday’s commemoration parade with his father-in-law, Mick Curley, and two sons, Hugh, nine, and Eric, four, who were enthusiastically waving small tricolours with one hand and eating easter eggs with the other.

“The boys are too young now to understand what it’s all about but they do know their great granny was involved in this big event a long time ago.

“Because of her they’ll know their history and they’ll appreciate it more in 10 years time when it’s the 100th anniversary.”

Handing down history to the next generation was a priority for many attending the parade. Jean McConnell had been eavesdropping on grandparents explaining to little ones what 1916 was about and was looking forward to doing the same for her own little granddaughter.

“She’s only four months old but we want to be able to pass the stories on to her when she’s older about how her own family were involved so it’s important for us to be here and keep those memories alive.”

Jean and her husband, James, both from Dublin, were there to honour James’ great-grandfather, Patrick Torpey; his grandfather, James Torpey, and grand-uncle, also Patrick, all of whom fought in the War of Independence and Civil War.

“My grandfather often talked about it. It never left him. He said at the end of the Civil War that he had no friends left. Either they’d died or were on the other side. It’s hard to understand what it must have been like.

“This commemoration is important because it’s about taking the day back from what it had come to mean in the context of the North and giving it back to people as the people’s history rather than just a political thing.”

Michael Collins from Dun Laoghaire also welcomed the return of the public commemoration. An army veteran with 22 years service, including two tours of duty in the Lebanon, he wore his blue beret with pride and declared it a good day for his comrades.

“It’s a celebration of the defence forces which is only right because we should be proud of them and it’s also a celebration for them because if there wasn’t the 1916 rising, there would be no defence forces.”

Michael brought with him his service medals, including the one presented to him when the United Nations peacekeepers won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988, and he keeps in touch with his comrades through the UN Veterans Association.

He uses a wheelchair now because of multiple sclerosis but was sorry to have to leave the army.

“I miss the camaraderie. The army’s a good life. I hope a day like today will make their history and their work more public.”

Sisters, Carmel, Noreen and Nuala Scales, all came to the parade in memory of their grandparents and other relatives of that generation.

“We would have known loads of stories from our grandparents. Now they’re dead I wish we’d listen better,” said Carmel.

“My grandmother used to tell us she ran messages for the soldiers but that they always had to pretend she was doing something else.

“I had an uncle who was an apprentice solicitor in the Customs House and when it was burnt down he had to go to England and ended up working on the buildings.”

“We’re proud of what they did,” said Noreen, “But even though I’d like a united Ireland, it has to be by peaceful means. Guns were the only way to do it at the time but there has to be dialogue now.”

Scott Handley, his wife Dina and children, Emma, nine, and Gareth, 12, from North Yorkshire were on holiday and decided to go along to the parade.

“We have Remembrance Day in Britain which is something similar and the kids take part in that so they were interested in this,” said Scott.

“It’s important to remember. 1916 wasn’t Britain’s proudest hour but maybe we can learn something from that.”