Rafter Street in Enniscorthy’s town centre is named in his honour in 1920; his life-size granite figure stands by Rafter Bridge since 1958; Riverside Park Hotel has named its newly extended function room – the Rafter Suite – and a bronze etching is secured to the wall at the entrance.
For those unfamiliar with the Rafter name, they must have wondered about this man’s importance and contribution to the development of Enniscorthy and Co. Wexford, and to be remembered so forcefully and with respect and reverence, generations after his life and times.

SEAMUS RAFTER (1873-1918) commemorated on the centenary of his death.

A century after his death, Enniscorthy and Ballindaggin have both organised a series of events to introduce Rafter to a new generation on the 100th anniversary of his death at the age of 43 years.
A native of Monalee, Ballindaggin, Seamus was born on January 18th 1873, and became a leading figure in the cultural and political landscape of Co. Wexford in the early 20th century. He was a founding member of the Gaelic League in Enniscorthy and one of the inspirational leaders of the 1916 Rising in the county.
In the days ahead there is so much more happening to create Rafter awareness and remember one of Co. Wexford’s favourite sons.
Chairman of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Willie Kavanagh, will lead proceedings at a special Commemoration Event on the Centenary of the death of Seamus Rafter in Enniscorthy on Sunday, September 9th.
Ceremonies begin with 12.30 pm Mass in St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, with Bishop Denis Brennan as Chief Celebrant, followed by a parade to a wreath-laying ceremony at the Seamus Rafter monument at Abbey Square.
The launch of Seamus Rafter memorabilia will also take place at the Atheneum Hall afterwards.
That is one event, but there is another and they are separately organised; one in Enniscorthy where he worked and lived, the other in Ballindaggin where he was born and his relatives are still living in the 21st century.
A wreath laying ceremony will take place at 7 pm on Wednesday, September 12th, the anniversary of his death, at his grave in Ballindaggin graveyard.
This will be attended by his surviving family members Mary and Seamus Rafter and a piece of music played by St. Colman’s Pipe Band from Ballindaggin. This event is open to the public and all are welcome.
A concert of traditional music, song and dance takes place in Ballindaggin Hall to honour the memory of Seamus Rafter, on Saturday, September 15th.
The concert will take place in from 8 pm -10 pm and will feature a plethora of fine local and nationally respected traditional musicians, singers and dancers including, Padraig and Brigid Sinnott, Ann Dreelan, Aileen Lambert, Deirdre Jordan, James Jordan, Helena Dunbar, John Furlong, Paul O’Reilly, Niall Wall, Tom Murphy, JJ O’Connor, Nellie Fortune, Éire Ní Fhaoláin, Chulainn Ó Faoláin, Ferns Comhaltas, Damhsóirí na Dubhtíre and more.
The concert features young and old and will also include three local traditional songs which pay reference to Seamus and his legacy.
Admission to the concert is just €8 for adults, children are free and all monies raised will be donated to the Ballindaggin Community Park.
If you would like to find out more, please contact Michael Fortune or Aileen Lambert on 087 6470247/087 7552593.