THOUSANDS of people from across Derry will gather at commemorations throughout the city today to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1916 rising.
The main speaker for today’s Easter Sunday events is Sinn Fein Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney.
Encouraging Republicans to take part in the Centenary commemorations today, Sinn Féín Councillor Colly Kelly said:
“Easter is a very important date in the annual Republican calendar, a time when we not only gather in Derry, across Ireland and throughout the world to remember those who have died in pursuit of Irish Freedom and Liberty and to stand in continued solidarity with their families, but also a time when we recommit ourselves to the pursuance of our Republican objectives.
“This Easter Sunday there will be four parades from each of the areas converging simultaneously on Westland Street.
“There will be pageantry, street theatre and a large number of those in the parade wearing period costume of the day so it will be a great spectacle to see and i would encourage as many families as possible to come along as we will only see something on this scale once in a life time.
“We would encourage people not only to take part in their local events but also to come along to be part of the main commemoration in Derry this Sunday at 2.30pm, assemble Westland Street.
“We are very pleased to announce this year that the main speaker will be Raymond McCartney.
“Local area commemorations will take place on Sunday at the Republican monuments:
12.00pm Shantallow Monument (Racecourse Road)
1.30pm Waterside (Rose Court)
1.45pm Creggan (Central Drive),
2.00pm Bogside and Brandywell (Lecky Road)
