1916 centenary events in Cloughjordan

The unveiling of a statue of Thomas MacDonagh and the holding of the Tipperary County Fleadh are part of a series of events planned to commemorate the 1916 Rising in Cloughjordan.

One major event is to take place each month next year as the birthplace of MacDonagh becomes a key focus of the centenary nationally.
Details of some of these events were announced at last week's meeting of Nenagh Municipal District Council. District Administrator Rosemary Joyce confirmed that a bronze statue of MacDonagh is to be erected on the main street. Cloughjordan's first MacDonagh statue will be provided by well known sculptor Mark Rode, who has already commenced working on the piece.
Ms Joyce added that the council and organising committee in Cloughjordan are engaging with Comhaltas with a view to staging the 2016 Tipperary County Fleadh in Cloughjordan.
Among other propsed events, Cloughjordan Cine Club is to host a screening of film from the 50th anniversary of the Rising in Cloughjordan. The 1966 event was attended by MacDonagh's daughter Barbara Redmond, and acquaintances of MacDonagh recounted their memories of him.
In recent years, Cloughjordan has remembered its best known ancestor over the May Bank Holiday Weekend, the anniversary of his execution. This May, GAA clubs from around the county are to join in a village procession accompanied by the Thomas MacDonagh Pipe Band, one of the Army bands, and Óglaigh Náisiúnta Na hÉireann (ONE).
Further proposals include the holding of a Tipperary GAA County Board convention in the village and a meeting of the Association of Secondary School Teachers of Ireland (ASTI), of which MacDonagh was a founding member. Meanwhile, Tipperary Co Council is proposing to hold its April meeting in Cloughjordan. There will also be regular Irish language events and an event involving the Scouts, as well as the creation of a Garden of Remembrance.
Ms Joyce informed last week's meeting that a calendar of events would be published once the 2016 plans are finalised.
Chairman of Nenagh Municipal District Council Ger Darcy (FG) commended Ms Joyce on her work with the 1916 committee in Cloughjordan.
Cloughjordan man and former councillor Jim Casey is also involved in the centenary preparations. He told The Guardian last week that further plans include the local drama group staging 'Juno & the Paycock' in the village in February.
Mr Casey said a plaque would be erected at Grawn cemetery, where MacDonagh's parents are buried, on Easter Sunday. There will be a march from the Thomas MacDonagh Heritage Centre out to Grawn for the plaque unveiling. The plaque will contain information about the graveyard and members of the MacDonagh family buried there.
Mr Casey added that the ninth volume of the popular series of Cloughjordan Heritage books will be launched next year.