A large parade led by a local colour party as well as the visiting colour party and Republican Flute Band from Youghal assembled at Templeshannon Quay and paraded through the town to St Mary's Cemetery where proceedings at the republican plot were chaired by former town councillor Martin Sheehan.

Martin Sheehan introduced local Sinn Féin Councillor Noreen Sheridan who read the 1916 Proclamation, followed by Mícheál O'Leary who read the Easter message from Óglaigh na hEireann.

Following the laying of wreaths at the Republican plot, Chairman of Leinster Sinn Féin, Cllr John Dwyer next paid tribute to the vision of the leaders of the 1916 rising and said: " Ireland's struggle for freedom has produced many heroes. Men and women of enormous courage and self-sacrifice who were and are prepared to give everything in the cause of Irish freedom.

"As we honour the men and women of 1916, let us also remember all of those republicans who in this and previous generations gave their lives for Irish freedom. They were ordinary men and women who in extraordinary and difficult circumstances found the inner strength, determination and courage to stand against injustice and oppression, and to demand the rights and entitlements of the Irish people.

"They had the vision to see beyond the conflict, beyond the centuries of occupation, and to embrace the republican spirit of Tone, of Pearse and Connolly, and to stand up for truth and justice, for liberty and equality.

"Sinn Fein has grown in Wexford through hard work, determination and strategic planning. As we move closer to delivering our goals, we are increasing our political strength election after election on this island. Together we can build a future of equals on this island that empowers, and enriches and cherishes all the children of the nation equally.

"Our republicanism is about change -- fundamental, deep-rooted change. It's about empowering people to make that change. This means we have to be agents of change.

"This is an enormous responsibility and challenge but it is a challenge that I confidently believe this generation of Irish republicans will achieve."

Guest speaker from North Belfast, Councillor Eoin O'Broin addressing the attendance said:

"Sinn Fein is an Irish Republican Party. Our strategy to achieve a united, independent Ireland marks us out from other Irish political parties. Sinn Fein is the largest nationalist party in the 6 counties. We are the third largest party in the 32 counties. Our growth has seen the re-shaping of politics in this country.

"We go into elections with a unique message - a unique vision. Sinn Féin is the only all-Ireland party. The only party with the strategy and policies to achieve Irish Unity and Independence.

"As a people we are entitled to peace. We have struggled for it all of our lives. Indeed many republicans have dedicated their lives and in many cases sacrificed their lives so that we could live in a democratic society. I appeal to all those who hold to the principles of the 1916 Rising and our fallen heroes to pledge themselves this day to resolve once and for all the divisions that have plagued our country.

"Speaking at the Tirghra event in Dublin this time last year Gerry Adams said that the spirit of all those who have died are with us in the daily battles and in every advance of our struggle.

"He said "The ghosts of your loved ones are with us in all of our meetings with the British government, with the Irish government, with unionist leaders, and others as we seek to make sense of chaos, and to build justice as the basis for peace. And that is the reality. What has been won, what is being won and what will be won in the time ahead will be because of your contribution, your fortitude and your great patience."

"These words should guide all of us in the time ahead because we owe them, their families and their communities, a debt that can only be repaid through the success of our struggle for the liberation of the Irish people.

"What better tribute could we pay to those who have died for Irish freedom than through the realisation of these objectives. What greater monument to their courage and dedication but through the ending of partition and the creation of a new Ireland based on the principles of the 1916 proclamation and its promise to cherish all the children of the nation equally."

Following the last post from bugler Joe Davitt and the lowering of the flags, the parade reassembled and marched back Nunnery Road, stopping at Market Square for Amhráin na bhFíann and returning back to Templeshannon Quay.