Old Drogheda Society 28/06/2013: Press Release
As part of the Drogheda Museum/Old Drogheda Society’s Gathering event to welcome home the descendants of the Drogheda Fenians of 1867 there will be a re-enactment of the annual march of the Drogheda Banners to the memorial to Col. Patrick Leonard in Monknewtown Cemetery on Sun next 7th July at 3pm.
This will
be followed at 4pm by a celebration in the function room of the Tourists Rest –
better known as “Dolly Mitchell’s” – with music by trad super-band Eitleán and
an illustrated presentation of the Drogheda Museum’s famous banners.
Begrath man
Patrick Leonard was a Colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War
and returned to Ireland as a flamboyant Fenian leader – the “Scarlet Pimpernel”
of his day! He often appeared openly in his full American Army Officer’s
uniform around Drogheda as a sign of open defiance to the authorities.
Artist
William Reynolds from Tullyallen was a cousin of Leonard’s and was the painter of many of the Trades
Banners now in the Drogheda Museum Millmount.
The
Drogheda Banners – known as “the Flags of Drogheda” were famous in the 19th
century and were in huge demand for demonstrations and events all over the
country.
The Old
Drogheda Society are running a bus out to the event leaving Lourdes Church at
2:15 and Marian Park at 3:30, cost only €5 and everybody welcome.
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| We have no images of Col. Leonard – the above illustration shows the Union Army colonel’s uniform |
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