04/10/2025
It was a pleasant, sunny afternoon in Glasnevin cemetery on Sunday 21st September for the annual commemoration to Anne Devlin held on the Sunday closest to the anniversary of her passing on the 18th September. This year marked the 174th anniversary of her passing, as well as the 21st anniversary of the annual tradition of gathering by her graveside as begun by the late and much missed historian and Cuimhní Anne Devlin founder, Mícheál Ó'Doibhilín.
Historian Gerard Shannon was MC for proceedings, and welcomed all those present. He then introduced the main speaker, Éamon Ó'Cúiv, former TD and government minister.
Éamon O'Cuiv, then spoke, and laid out the history of Anne's life and her struggles for the cause of Irish freedom, while also paying tribute to Mícheál's efforts in keeping Anne Devlin's memory alive. Éamon then asked those present to remember the struggles of those unjustly imprisoned both at home and abroad, and that it was important to highlight the conditions and violence those suffer in such prisons. He also highlighted the plight of the people of Palestine in the midst of a genocide.
Following his speech, Gerard asked those who stepped forward to lay floral tributes. Mícheál's wife, Milla, laid flowers on behalf of the Ó'Doibhilín family and Cuimhní Anne Devlin. The great-great-great-great grand nephew of Robert Emmet, Thomas Emmet, laid a wreath on behalf of the Robert Emmet History Association. Finally, a wreath was laid on behalf of the Liberty Belle, a public house on Francis Street which contains its own tribute to Anne; this was done by Emer, daughter of Thomas Young, the Liberty Belle's owner.
Aisling, Mícheál's daughter, also read out the story of Anne Devlin's for Mícheál's young grandchildren.
Gerard thanked those present for attending, and members of the Collins22 Society for serving as the flag-bearers by Anne's graveside. Gerard also thanked Peter Gallogly, CEO of Dublin Cemeteries Trust, for both his attendance and the Trust's support of this commemoration. Gerard reminded those present next year there must be a wider commemorative effort for the 175th anniversary of Anne Devlin's death next year - and the committee will be in touch with others and relevant bodies very soon to begin planning this.
The commemoration ended, and a number went to the Liberty Belle for afters.
