Derry republicans to mark 110th anniversary of the Easter Rising with series of commemorations at the weekend

Republicans will commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Easter Rising in Derry with several demonstrations planned over the weekend.

The Easter tribute to the seven signatories of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic – Tom Clarke (Dungannon), Seán Mac Diarmada (Leitrim), Thomas MacDonagh (Tipperary), Pádraig Pearse (Dublin), Éamonn Ceannt (East Galway), James Connolly (Edinburgh) and Joseph Plunkett (Dublin) – is the most important date in the republican calendar.

The insurrection against British rule and for sovereignty began on Monday, April 24, 1916, but was suppressed after six days after which the signatories were executed alongside fellow insurgents William Pearse (Dublin), Ned Daly (Limerick), Seán Heuston (Dublin), Michael Mallin (Dublin), Con Colbert (Limerick), Roger Casement (Dublin), Thomas Kent (Cork), John MacBride (Mayo) and Michael O’Hanrahan (Wexford).

The following events are due to take place in Derry city between Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday.

The Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP) will hold its Easter Rising wreath-laying commemoration at the Irish Republican Socialist plot at Derry City Cemetery at 2pm on Saturday.

The Keenan/Toner Cumann of Republican Sinn Féin in Derry will be holding its annual commemoration at the Republican Monument in Derry City Cemetery at no one on Sunday.

Sinn Féin and the Derry Republican Graves Association will hold their main commemoration on Sunday proceeding from Westland Street at 2pm via Elmwood Terrace, Eastway and Iniscarn to the City Cemetery where the main oration will be delivered at the Republican Monument by Belfast republican Séanna Walsh.

Earlier local commemorations will take place at 1pm at the Shantallow Monument (Racecourse Road) and the Waterside (Rose Court) and at 1.30pm at Creggan (Central Drive) and the Bogside Brandywell (Lecky Road).

Saoradh and the National Republican Commemoration Committee have indicated its main 2026 National Easter Commemoration will take place in Derry on Easter Monday.

The group said its commemoration will leave the Creggan Shops at 2.30pm for a parade to Derry City Cemetery.

Republic Day, Friday, April 24

The 32 County Sovereignty Movement (32CSM) in Derry traditionally commemorates the Easter Rising on, or close to, 'Republic Day', the actual calendar date of Easter Monday 1916 with a wreath-laying ceremony.

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