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Updated 9.17pm
THE STATE FUNERAL of Thomas Kent, one of only two men to be executed (Roger Casement being the other) outside Dublin following the Easter Rising in 1916, will take place tomorrow afternoon in Kent’s home county of Cork.
Kent’s remains arrived this afternoon at Collins Barracks in Cork City.
The body will lie in repose at the barracks overnight with a ceremonial guard.
The barracks and chapel is open to allow the public to pay their respects. Local media report that three of his nieces were present this evening.
‘Thousands’ of people have turned out to file past the coffin, according to the Evening Echo.
The state funeral itself will take place in Kent’s hometown of Castlelyons at St Nicholas’ Church from 1.45 pm tomorrow afternoon. RTE will be televising the ceremony (which will be attended by the President, Taoiseach and Tánaiste) live from 1.30pm. The ceremony itself will be celebrated by Bishop of Cloyne William Crean.
The re-interment ceremony which follows will feature all key elements of a state funeral including a military firing party rendering honours, the Last Post and Reveille bugle calls, and the National Anthem.
Kent’s remains were discovered in Cork Prison earlier this year and were subsequently verified via DNA testing as being his.
Often referred to as the “forgotten patriot”, Kent and his brothers were among the nationalists who stayed at home after Irish Volunteers leader Eoin MacNeill countermanded orders to stage the rising on Easter Sunday 1916. The rising eventually proceeded the following day, Easter Monday.
He was arrested on 2 May 1916 at his family home and executed aged 52 following court martial on 9 May. His brother William was also tried but was acquitted.
Following the offer of a state funeral being accepted by Kent’s family the Taoiseach said that the funeral “will ensure that Thomas Kent is never again described as a forgotten leader of 1916″.
In July it emerged that local councillors in Castlelyons were hoping to have a bridge in Fermoy named after Kent.
A famous picture exists of Kent and his brother David being led across the bridge en route to his execution.
Originally published 10.32am
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Hardly forgotten, Kent Station Cork?
I think that Eamonn Ceannt station is named after a different guy. Was trying to figure it out earlier and I discovered that the station is named after aan from Galway whereas this Kent being honoured tomorrow is from north Cork. Don’t even know if they were related
‘Stáisiún Cheannt, Gaillimh’ is named after Éamonn Ceannt.
‘Stáisiún Kent, Corcaigh’ is named after Tomás Ceannt.
“It was given the name Ceannt on 10 April 1966 in commemoration of Éamonn Ceannt, one of the executed leaders of the Easter Rising of 1916.”
“The station was originally called Glanmire Road Station, but was renamed for Thomas Kent in 1966 on the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising.”
Thanks for that, was finding the whole ‘Kent’, ‘Ceannt’ business very hard to unravel
No bother, they seemed to have both answered to their Irish names but I believe Éamonn Ceannt was far more involved in promoting an Gaeilge and Gaelicism than ‘Thomas Kent’ was.
Never forgotten, RIP to one of our falling brave hero.
Well done to the government for making this happen. excellent work
Yeah it only took Sinn fein to properly commemorate O Donovan Rossa before 99 yrs of this travesty is put right by either FG or FF. another for them to try scoring percieved points over. Hypocrits!
*Another death.
It’s Surprising To See Kenny praising gunmen.
Purely for political purposes—–when before now did they ever commemorate him?
Executing teenagers and women and disappearing them was palatable 92 years ago but is utterly reprehensible 43 years ago. Because we’ve come so far. Logic eh.
They might of had more of a fighting chance had Michael McDowell’s grandfather not countermanded the orders.
Probably not I’m afraid to say
Well Pearse and the IRB forged documents in order to dupe MacNeill into supporting the Rising in the first place. MacNeill rescinded the order when he found out he was lied to.
I always thought there was something ominous about Eoin MacNeill’s decision that day.
He ended up upholding British law and order with the “Free State” in the Civil War.
Makes you wonder.
I’d say that John Bruton, Richard Brutons brother who sits on a nice job in Europe and ministerial pensions back here courtesy of the taxpayers is gutted by this extravagant spending on this occasion to remember Mr Kent seeing as how he thinks the rising was a mistake, ghess we should all follow his example and capitulate to foreign powers at their request no questions asked.
With Enda Kenny giving the graveside oration I wouldn’t be surprised if Mr Kent gets up and walks away in disgust.
Had Endy been alive at the time he’d definitely have been one of the RIC boys doing the dirty work of the monarchy; desert when it got too tough, then join up with Pro-Treaty forces to do it all over again.
“I was just doing my job.”
“Why would I do something ‘His Majesty’ deems illegal?”
The RIC were an extremely competent police force who did a good job
Had Enda been alive at the time he wouldn’t have been alive for very long.
This is excellent news. I may go to it tomorrow
Why now recognise and looking to name a bridge ?? It should not v taken 100 years to do so and have enda kenny there too omg MR KENT would turn in his grave . I am a descendant from GENERAL LIAM LYNCH. Who fought the war of independence and civil war and none of his family v ever been recognised only last week I received the honours from republican cork party movement to lay and dedicate words to this man . I must say proud I am and proud that THOMAS KENT can too lay in peace of his hometown . And il be there with family to honour this day of Thomas Kent .
I’m confused by the article – Kent is described as both a leader of the rising and as someone who stayed and home and didn’t take part. He can hardly be both – I mean that would make him some sort of superman
A little reading on the topic should clear your confusion
Feel sick the thoughts of good men being murdered by their own. Fought to free Ireland get shot by the people they help free. Disgusting. Well deserved respect. Ar dheis go anam.
Actually fuve, he wasn’t shot by one of his own. He was executed by the ruling British. If I’m not mistaken, you’re probably associating his death with the the Civil War.
RIP Hero
Hi-jacked by FG, There is no greater dishonour in life than Enda Kenny delivering your Grave side Eulogy. How hos family allowed this is a mystery. #Embarrassing
I agree 100% with you
This is a state funeral. I expect the President and the Taoiseach to take part.
It would be a disgrace if they didn’t.
I am no Fine Gaeler but to be fair to that party their founders include many men of 1916, Collins, Cosgrave, Mulcahy and FitzGerald. The same can be said for Labour and Fianna Fail.
We should never allow any one group think they can have a monopoly on our history.
Could someone please tell me why it took 99 years for this burial.
His remains were only discovered earlier this year.
If he didn’t take part in the Rising what was the charge he was executed under?
Republican Freedom Fighter basically
Conspiring against the realm.
resisting RIC arrest when they came for him a week after Easter. He and his brithers built a baracade. A gunfight ensued. Kents surrendered. william aquitted Thomas convicted. Briught out and shot
They’re getting excited about Thomas Kent now? Purleeze!
Surely the President, Taoiseach and Tánaiste have better things to be doing?
Not necessarily, this is part of their duties. Particularly coming up to the centenary of the rising
If Kent were around today he would be rising up against them.
Its all face no truth in them being there. They could give a toss about Ireland or our history or what this an fought for. Taoiseach is like those silver spoon babies from monarchy. Inherited seat.
How can you know? How can anyone know?
I suspect though that Kent would be pleased that we are an independent republic with our own army, national flag and anthem, which will all be on display today.
Does he look a bit like a young bearded Bradley cooper?
Up the ra
Is that Tricolour green white and gold/yellow, or do you see orange? Is it the lighting or a message.
That beard, total hipster.
Something macabre about digging up bodies like this and giving them State funerals—much more dignified to erect a memorial over the spot where they were buried
No, people need a proper burial. In Kilmainham Gaol they used to bury our patriots in pits of lime. Wonder why?
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