Minister Paul Kehoe and Cllr Willie Kavanagh, Chairman Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, laying a wreath at the Rafter memorial at Abbey Square, Enniscorthy.

A number of wreath-laying cermonies took place in Enniscorthy today to symbolise a dignified rememberance of one of the town’s favourite sons, Seamus Rafter, on the centenary of his death in September 1918 and the 60th anniversary of his memorial at Abbey Square in 1958.
Chairman of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Willie Kavanagh, and Minister Paul Kehoe, who has responsibility for the defence forces laid wreaths at the limestone and granite memorial depicting a life-size statue of Seamus Rafter.
Cllr Kavanagh said Seamus Rafter was born in Monalee, Ballindaggin, in 1873 and later moved to Enniscorthy and during Easter Week 1916 he and his comrades occupied the Athenaeum and only surrendered under written orders from Padraig Pearse.
Cllr Kavanagh said; “While Seamus didn’t live to see an end to the fight for Irish independence, his legacy lives on in the many landmarks in Enniscorthy named in his honour, including Rafter Steet, Rafter Bridge and the imposing statue at Abbey Square.

Seamus Rafter, Cllr Keith Doyle, Chairman Wexford County Council and Mary Rafter at the wreath-laying ceremony at the Athenaeum in Enniscorthy.

Referring to the 1958 opening of the memorial, Cllr Kavanagh quoted the words of Dr James Ryan as he paid tribute to Rafter.
“In the years immediately following his death, Ireland needed men of Seamus Rafter’s calibre – men who fought on convinction based on reason, men who did not shed their idealism in their search for realism – men of integrity.”
In conclusion, Cllr Kavanagh said; “On behalf of the elected members and the people of Enniscorthy and district I am deeply honoured that we have joined here together on the occasion of his centenary to commemorate Seamus Rafter’s death and we remember those who fought in the 1916 Rising.”
Cllr Keith Doyle, Chairman Wexford County Council, was joined by Seamus Rafter’s nephew and niece, Seamus and Mary Rafter, in laying a wreath at the Athenaeum.
Also at a reception in the Athenaeum, Grainne Doran, County Archivist Wexford County Council, related some historical events from 1918; Niall Holohan, who now occupies the public house at Slaney Place where Rafter lived and traded at the time of his death, paid tribute to Seamus Rafter in song, and the patriot’s nephew, Seamus, returned thanks to Wexford County Council and the people of Enniscorthy and district for remembering Seamus Rafter with such pride and dignity a century after his death.

Niall Holohan (proprietor), Cllr Willie Kavanagh, Cllr Keith Doyle, Mary Rafter, Seamus Rafter and Minister Paul Kehoe laying a wreath outside Holohans, which was Rafter House in 1918.

Holohan’s pub, opposite the old stone bridge, formerly The Cotton Tree, was Rafter House in 1918, and Cllrs Kavanagh and Doyle laid a wreath outside the front door in the presence of the current proprietors, Niall and Sandra Holohan.
A military parade took place from St Aidan’s Cathedral, stopping off at the Athenaeum Hall (headquarters of the Volunteers during the 1916 Rising), lead by a colour party from the Reserve Defence Forces including Lt. Brian Kavanagh, Sgt. Frank Murphy, Sgt Dick Martin, and their mascot ‘Fionn’ the Irish wolfhound.
Other participants included the IUNVA (Irish United Nations Veterans Associations), O.N.E. (Organisation of National Ex-service personnel), Relatives of 1916 participants, Re-enactors from Enniscorthy, Monageer and some from other counties, Pikemen – Cuman Pici ’98 na h-Eireann, Ballindaggin Cumann na mBan, St Coleman’s Pipe Band, Ballindaggin, Duffry Rovers GAA Club, and Davidstown Parish Scouts Group.
Dignatories in attendance included Cllr Willie Kavanagh, Chairman Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Keith Doyle, Chairman Wexford County Council, Cllrs Paddy Kavanagh, Johnny Mythen, Barbara-Anne Murphy and Kathleen-Codd Nolan, Ministers Paul Kehoe and Michael D’Arcy, James Browne T.D. and Michael O’Leary, Vice-chairman Enniscorthy Chamber of Commerce. District Manager Liz Hore acted as master of ceremonies.
Bishop Denis Brennan who was the chief celebrant at Mass in St Aidan’s Cathedral, assisted by Rev. Odhran Furlong, Administrator, St. Aidan’s Parish and Fr Jim Fegan, P.P., Ballindaggin, also attended the wreath-laying ceremonies.