Leinster Leader, Saturday, October 9, 1948

NAAS PATRIOTS REMEMBERED
Impressive
'98 Commemoration
Cermonies

The 150th anniversary of the Battle of Naas on the night of the 23/24th May, 1798, was commemorated at Naas on Sunday, when a huge gathering assembled in the town to pay tribute to brave Michael Reynolds and his comrades, who intrepidity attacked the entrenched Yeomen in Naas and put them to flight on that memorable date afterwards retiring from the town. Glorious sunshine favoured the event and thousands of people lined the thoroughfare in the flag bedecked Main Street as the parade, led by the Ballyshannon Pipers Band, marched from the assemblage point on the Fair Green to the Town Hall, where a memorial plaque to Michael Reynolds and his fellow Insurgents, was unveiled.
Mr. Jack Delaney was Chief Marshal of the Parade which included contingents of the Old I.R.A. from Kilcullen, Naas, Droichead Nua, Athgarvan, Suncroft, Ballyshannon, Kildare, Straffan, Mainham, Kill, Ardclough and other centres. Mr. P. Carroll, Naas, was in command. A large contingent of F.C.A. drawn from Naas and outlying districts under the charge of Lieut. J. Walsh, also made an impressive contribution to the parade. The F.C.A. colour party consisted of Lieut. Wm. Byrne, Lieut. G. Robinson and Lieut. E. Kinsella with Parade Sergeant-Major P. Brennan. The Ex-L.D.F. and Ex-L.S.F. from Naas and district were commanded by former officers D.L. Jos. King, Adjutant T. Harvey and Intelligence Officer, T. Hayden.

Other organisations taking part in the parade were former members of the Cumman na mBan, the Naas Hurling Team, captained by Mr. P. Murphy; the Naas Boy Scouts, Naas unit of the Order of Malta, men and women, schoolboys and outside bodies, and the general public. There was a deeply impressive scene, as with the full parade assembled in front of the Town Hall. Very Rev. P. J. Doyle, P.P., Naas, unveiled the memorial plaque to the ‘98 patriots. Three volleys rang out, breaking the stillness which had descended over the town, and F.C.A. Bugler Noel Murphy sounded the Last Post. As the Reveille followed the National Flag, which was half-masted was raised and dipped by Mr. P. Carroll, Vice-Chairman of the County Kildare Committee of the Old I.R.A.

The Firing Party, which was favourably commented upon for its discipline and precision was drawn from the Kilcullen Branch of the Old I.R.A. under Mr. Paddy Quinn.

Prior to the unveiling ceremony, Mr. M. J. O’Donoghue, Vice-Chairman of the Naas Urban Council, in introducing Father Doyle, said that their beloved parish priest was well-known for his kindly acts, not only by the people of Kildare, but by numerous people all over Leinster. The entire parade then proceeded to the top of the town and re-assembled on their return around a platform in Market Square, where an oration was delivered by Very Rev. Thomas Burbage, P.P., V.F. Mountmellick.