Belfast Honours Winifred Carney
Upwards of 50 people attended a commemoration in Milltown cemetery on Saturday [20th November 2021], organised by the socialist republican group Lasair Dhearg, to mark the seventy-eighth anniversary of the death of Winifred Carney. Carney was a lifelong and unapologetic socialist, trade unionist and republican. She died on November 21st 1943.
A short parade, led by a Republican colour party, took place from the gates of Milltown cemetery to Winifred Carney’s graveside.
Once assembled at the grave Nicola Nic Gabhann, chairing the event, welcomed those in attendance and spoke of the importance of honouring Irish revolutionary women. Following a minute’s silence, which was impeccably observed, a wreath was laid on behalf of Lasair Dhearg by Martine Jackson.
Lasair Dhearg Derry member Alannagh Doherty then proceeded to give the main oration. Providing an overview of Carneys life; including her time as a suffragist, a teacher and a trade unionist, her time as a member of Cumann na mBan and the Irish Citizen Army and detailing her stand alongside James Connolly and her other comrades in the GPO in Dublin in 1916.
Concluding, Alannagh stated: “Carneys story was one of community, struggle and liberation for all.”
Nicola Nic Gabhann then asked the crowd assembled for order before Amhrán na bhFiann was played. On behalf of Lasair Dhearg Nicola then thanked those who played a part in the commemoration and those in attendance.
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