merrion street

As part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary programme an official ceremony to commemorate the execution of Thomas Kent of Bawnard House, Castlelyons, Co. Cork took place today the 9th of May 2016 in the yard of the Old Prison of Cork City. The commemoration was attended by the Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Paul Kehoe T.D. and Thomas Kent’s relatives. The ceremony comprised of a number of elements including the reading of the trial documents relating the charge against Kent, the plea that was entered, the verdict of the court and the sentence handed down. A member of the Defence Force’s Chaplaincy Service and a member of the Irish Prison Service’s Chaplaincy Service attended and recited prayers. There was also a wreath laying service with a Military colour party; Military Police wreath bearer and a Piper’s lament.
Speaking about the commemoration the Minster said “We have come together to remember Kent, to honour his memory and to reflect on his life and it is very important that we do so today on the centenary of his execution in the company of his family. Thomas Kent believed in the ideals described in the Proclamation of Independence which declared the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland. Now one hundred years on we are challenged to live up to the ideals and aspirations of Kent and the others who fought for an Ireland that “declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation”.


Notes to Editors:
The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, led by Minister for Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts & the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, T.D., is a a year-long programme of activity to commemorate the events of the 1916 Rising, to reflect on our achievements over the last 100 years and to look towards Ireland’s future.

Background information and special archive material on the executed leaders, as well as full details of the programme are available at www.ireland.ie