40 years ago, in May 1985, Joe Reilly was welcomed home to Navan after serving 10 years in Portlaoise Prison.
To mark that occasion, and Joe's seismic contribution to the growth of Sinn Féin and Republican politics in Meath, we will have a special night of reflection, remembrance, ceol and craic in the Newgrange Hotel, Navan on Friday 16th May, starting at 8pm.
40 YEARS LATER - HOW JOE REILLY CHANGED POLITICS IN MEATH
This will be a unique opportunity to come together to remember a life (and lives) in Republican struggle in Meath, and to look to the future.
We will have a display of archive materials, video interviews, press clippings, photographs, artifacts and memorabilia from down through the years - recounting Joe's life of activism, interwoven, as it was, with the work and growth of Sinn Féin in Meath. Old election posters, photos, campaign leaflets, badges, anything at all related to Joe and Sinn Féin in Meath.
On the night, we will also hear from Joe's comrades - Republican stalwarts, ex-POWs, friends and family. We will have stories and reminiscence, yarns, craic and scéal. And, to round off the night, we will have music by the brilliant Ciarán Lynch.
It promises to be a great night. We hope you will be able to join us for it - to make it, as we hope it will be - a fitting tribute to Joe and those who walked with him.
Bígí linn, join us and encourage others to do the same.
