top of page

Please click photo to enlarge and view gallery

12th Annual George Brown Memorial Event

 

Good fortune smiled on Inistioge again this year as the eleventh annual commemoration of the ultimate sacrifice paid by local man George Brown in the Spanish Civil War was marked on the last weekend of June. Visitors and locals alike enjoyed the fabulous summer weather and took part in the various activities connected with the commemoration.

            

The commemoration began on Friday evening with the laying of a wreath at the George Brown plaque in St Colmcille’s Graveyard. The wreath was laid this year by committee-member, Mick Wright. 

 

On Saturday there was an exhibition of postal art connected with the Spanish Civil War, researched and assembled by Terry Bannon. This was followed with a talk by historian Harry Owens on the period of repression in Franco Spain. Afterwards a wreath was laid by Shay Caffrey at the Olive Grove in Woodstock Gardens. This grove is dedicated to Kilkenny men who enlisted in the International Brigades. Amanda Richards, the committee’s PRO recited the moving address of ‘La Passionaria’ to the members of the International Brigades on their departure from Spain in 1939, and this was followed by the anonymously penned poem to George Brown which was delivered by Fiona Walsh, daughter of Seán Walsh, a founder-member of the Inistioge George Brown Committee. Micil Murphy, son of another founder-member Pádraig Ó Murchú, planted the customary tree in the Gardens. It was back then to Inistioge where all were entertained by a local group of line dancers, followed by an impressiverecital by the Graiguenamanagh Brass Band from the Millennium Gardens, with wonderful fare on offer from the Otter Bar just across the road. 

            

During the previous two years local man Michael Tennyson has conducted tours of Woodstock on the Sunday morning. This year he concentrated on the village of Inistioge and brought his group on a revealing history trail, starting at St Colmcille’s Well and finishing at the bridge.

17th Annual George Brown Memorial Event 2024.

​

Celebrating Resilience and Solidarity.

 

Inistioge, June 2024 – Despite the rain, the 17th Annual Inistioge George Brown Memorial Event was a remarkable success, drawing attendees to honour the legacy of George Brown and reflect on current global issues.

 

Special guest, Palestinian Ambassador H.E. Dr. Jilan Abdalmajid, planted a Cedar of Lebanon in Woodstock Gardens on Friday evening, continuing the tradition of commemorative tree planting. This was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the George Brown Memorial Plaque in St. Colmcille Graveyard with Cllr Sean Ó hArgáin.

 

Dr. Abdalmajid delivered a heartfelt address at St. Mary's Church of Ireland, highlighting the dire situation in Gaza and the West Bank. She expressed profound gratitude to the Irish people and government for their ongoing support and recent recognition of the State of Palestine, emphasizing how these actions inspire hope among Palestinians.

 

Cllr Ó hArgáin and former Senator Mick Lanigan also addressed the assembly. Lanigan, founder of Friends of Palestine in the Oireachtas and recipient of the Order of Bethlehem, spoke passionately about justice for Palestinians.

 

The most poignant moment came from Maram Salah, a young woman from Gaza, now a Masters's student at SETU (Carlow Campus), who shared her harrowing experiences and the ongoing struggles of her family back home. 

 

Following a standing ovation for Dr. Abdalmajid, Amanda Richards presented her with a bouquet adorned with Palestinian colours. Former UNITE leader Jimmy Kelly gifted her a copy of his autobiography, "At the end of the day."

 

Saturday's outdoor events were moved indoors due to rain, but the spirit of the event remained undiminished. Attendees gathered at the Conservatory Tearoom in Woodstock to hear Spanish Civil War historian Harry Owens discuss the historical parallels and current issues. He urged support for both Palestinians, and Israelis opposing the Netanyahu administration, and highlighted the contributions of the Irish Jewish community to civic and political society here.

 

A tribute was paid to the late Nuala Prendergast, a dedicated local SIPTU trade union activist, commemorating her significant involvement in the event over the years.

 

The event concluded with a wreath-laying at the Olive Grove in Woodstock's Walled Garden by former UNITE official Sean Kelly, honouring the Kilkenny men of the International Brigades. A lively music session by local duo Michael and Eamon Holden at the Woodstock Arms capped off the memorable weekend.

bottom of page