On Wednesday June 18, AIA members from across Ireland, joined a massive crowd of Revolutionary Republicans, family and friends in Tipperary to honour the life of Veteran Irish Republican and Revolutionary hero, Father Paddy Ryan.
The intergenerational nature of the fight for Freedom in Ireland was clearly on display, as many veteran Republicans, some who had fought in the border campaign mingled with Republican ex-POWs and younger Republicans taking up their position in the ranks of the movement. Father Paddy’s funeral was an important display of the continuity of the Republican struggle, a fight that will continue until Freedom.
Having been waked in Clondalkin on Tuesday evening in the presence of a Republican Guard of honour, Father Paddy arrived to his native Rossmore shortly after 11am, where the hearse was flanked by a Republican Guard of Honour, and led by a lone piper, then escorted the hearse to the door of the church.
At the church door the Guard of Honour formed up on either side and the Tricolour was removed from Father Paddy’s coffin and ceremonially folded, before local GAA flags were placed on his coffin and he was carried into the church.
When the mass had ended, Father Paddy was carried back outside the church, where the Tricolour was replaced by the Republican Guard who again flanked the coffin and the piper led Father Paddy on his short journey to his grave.
As Father Paddy was lowered to his final resting place, the order was given for the Guard of Honour to give a salute, a fitting and well deserved honour for a man who had spent his whole life in service of the 32 County Irish Republic and the fight for her Freedom.
The graveside oration was delivered by former Republican Prisoner John Crawley, who gave an excellent speech leaving no doubt about the Republican principles of Father Paddy or about his importance to the ongoing fight for National Liberation.
Following the oration, there was a musical tribute by some friends of Father Paddy including a song written to support him while he was in prison facing extradition for his role in the struggle to end the ongoing British occupation of Ireland.
The crowd was then called to attention as the piper played Amhrán na bhFiann, ending the well organised funeral to honour Father Paddy.
The funeral was organised by Independent Republicans and Comrades of Father Paddy, and it was a significant honour for AIA to have our members pay final tribute to this Republican Legend by taking part in the Guard of Honour.
Throughout the day large numbers of the Free State Special Branch kept the funeral under surveillance, taking photos and videos of participants and following a number of Republican activists but they could not hide their disappointment and demoralisation at the large crowd and fitting tribute to honour Father Paddy.
Father Paddy has been buried with Republican Honours for the trojan work he carried out in our fight for Freedom. Today that fight continues until the achievement of the 32 County All Ireland Republic, which will be the genuine and lasting tribute to Republicans like Father Paddy.