'NO UNITED IRELAND WITHOUT IRISH AMERICA'

Remembering the Easter Rising in Mineola, New York. The Irish Monument Committee and the Irish-Americans in Governments hosted an Easter Commemoration at the Irish Monument, Court House Drive, Mineola.

Accompanied by the Nassau County Police, Emerald Society Pipes and Drums and a color party from the United States Marine Corps, wreaths were laid to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising.

The Covid compliant commemoration heard remarks from the Honorable Maureen O’Connell Nassau the County Clerk and President of Irish Americans in Government and by Dermot Fitzpatrick Vice Consul General of Ireland New York.

The socially distanced event drew a large crowd

The Proclamation of the Irish Republic was read, and poems recited. Due to Covid restrictions, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald was unable to attend and a message was read out from her instead. The Sinn Féin President thanked all Irish American leaders for their continued support for the Good Friday Agreement and Irish Unity. She remembered, the 1981 Hunger Strikers and the role Irish American played in preparing an planning for the Rising.

Mary Lou remarks concluded with: “Make no mistake, there would have been no rising without Irish America. There would have been no Good Friday Agreement without Irish America. You can also be certain - There will be no United Ireland without Irish America”

The commemoration ended with a hearty rendition of “A Nation Once Again”