Pikemen march on famous Liberty Tree
Cllr. Des Hurley addresses the assembly of pikemen and others who marched on the Liberty Tree in Carlow last Friday.
Tuesday March 09 2010
PIKEMEN marched on Market Square on Friday in protest against the removal of the landmark Liberty Tree.
In a bid to prevent developers moving the memorial, more than 60 people converged in the town centre in a display of disapproval. Plans are in place to move the tree to another location to make way for a ¤20 million development by Dolmen Estates.
Plans are in place for an even bigger protest on Saturday, April 10 and organisers plan to establish a website to try rally support. Everyone is asked to assemble in Carpenters yard before marching along Tullow Street, by the main post office and back to the Liberty Tree.
'This is going to be one of the biggest things to hit Carlow,' said Cllr Denis Foley one of the main organisers of the rally. 'We had the pikemen and ordinary citizens of Carlow come together to show their support.'
The crowd were led in two songs: 'The Croppy Boy', sung by Paddy Norris, and 'Boolavogue' by Tim Rochford from The Fighting Cocks. There were also speeches from Cllr Des Hurley, Deputy Mary White and leader of the pikemen Andy Gladney.
'This is part of our heritage,' said Cllr Foley. 'It is not just a tree but a commemoration to the men, women and children who lost their lives in the fight for freedom.'
The sculpture is expected to be moved after an agreement was reached between Carlow County Council and the developer to transfer the land which includes the Liberty Tree. It is however expected to stay within the confines of Plás na Saoirse.
- Lynda CONNOLLY
