Easter commemoration in Tullamore told: "It's up to us to ensure we don't forget"

Families of the many Offaly people who played a key role in the fight for Irish Freedom were reminded, at a commemoration ceremony in Tullamore on Easter Sunday, that it is now up to “the next generation” to preserve the tradition of honouring the bravery of those who fought.

“We are nearing a time where the direct link to our Volunteers is coming to an end, it is up to us and the next generation to ensure we do not forget, lest their efforts be in vain,” said Odran Condron who, along with his mother, Breda, organises the annual commemoration ceremony to coincide with the Easter Rising.

The event, which took place on Sunday morning on the steps of Tullamore Courthouse at the Veteran's Memorial, was revived by Odran and Breda in 2023 after a lapse of over 40 years which began as a result of The Troubles in the North during the 1980s.

With the numbers in attendance steadily climbing since the remembrance ceremony was revived, the Condrons decided to introduce a new feature to the proceedings, by honouring people from Offaly who were involved in the historical events which have shaped modern Ireland, but whose names were never acknowledged in any previous commemorations.

To this end, the 2025 Easter Commemoration in Tullamore honoured Ted Berry and Matt Brien from Killeigh, both of whom played key roles in the fight for Irish freedom. Ted Berry became Captain of Killeigh IRA in June 2021 and was involved in several operations to move and store arms in the Killeigh area.

Later that same year, he took part in the ambush of the Portarlington to Tullamore train, which was carrying RIC men, and he subsequently become very involved with the Old Offaly IRA Association, and helped organise the funerals of Old IRA members who were buried in Killeigh graveyard.

Matt Brien joined Gurteen IRA in March 1917, and went on t become centrally involved in many missions, including helping to lift the railway line between Tullamore and Clara to prevent troop movements during the Clara barracks attack, and the movement and storage of arms from for the proposed attack on the Clonbollogue barracks in April 2021.

He was arrested twice, the second time with Ted Berry in January 1923, during the Civil War, after the HQ and ammunition dump for the Offaly No 1 brigade was found in Killeigh, which included the details for an elaborate attack on Tullamore Barracks.

Ted and Mary Berry from Killeigh laid the wreath at the Veteran’s Memorial on Easter Sunday in remembrance of Ted Berry and Matt Brien. Ted is the son of Ted Senior, and Mary is the daughter of Matt Brien.

The commemoration ceremony also included the reading of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic and the Offaly Republican Roll of Honour, while Breda Condron read a poignant local poem about Tullamore Gaol which was written by one the prisoners held there in April 1921.

The Last Post and Reveille, and the singing of the National Anthem, also formed part of the proceedings.

Odran Condron thanked the many people who contributed to making the occasion such a success including Tullamore Courthouse staff; Cllr Neil Feighery; musicians; caterers; members of the Tullamore Branch of the Organisation of National Ex-Service personnel (ONE); and sponsors Offaly Heritage Council and Tullamore Credit Union.

A minute's silence was observed for a member of last year's Colour Party, Brendan Bracken, who passed away during the year and was represented by Kevin and Paddy Bracken as part of this year's Colour Party.