Cllr Tony Dempsey speaking at the Sean Etchingham 1916 commemoration held in Ardamine Cemetery.

THE 1916 commemoration programme extended to Ardamine Cemetery yesterday (Monday) as members of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) gathered at the Sean Etchingham memorial, overlooking Courtown Harbour, to honour a man who gave a lifetime of commitment to the GAA in a number of capacities.

Diarmuid Devereux, Cathaoirleach Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Loch Garman, welcomed everybody on behalf of the County Board, but in particular, the Butler family, who are descendants of Sean Etchingham, and stated that another commemoration will be held in Wexford Park later in the year to honour Etchingham.

Mr Devereux said the main interest in honouring Sean Etchingham was that he was twice chairman of Wexford GAA Board. “He had a wonderful record. He was a great promoter of Irish culture, not just sport, but the language and its history.”

The oration was delivered by Cllr Tony Dempsey: “I am very proud to be here and I thank Realt Na Mara for their invitation . We are here today to commemorate one of your greatest sons – Sean Etchingham, born in Ballintray in 1870 and died on April 23, 1923 – who stood for everything Gaelic.”

Mr Devereux unveiled a plaque at the foot of the Etchingham memorial, ably assisted by the youngest member of Realt Na Mara GAA Club, Larry Doyle’s grandson, while Cllr Dempsey, who is a member of the Ard-Comhairle of the GAA, laid the wreath.

Fr Tom Dalton, Parish Priest, Courtown-Riverchapel Parish, recited a prayer.

The ceremony ended with Annette McCarthy, and her daughters, Alanna and Shauna, singing Amhran na bFiann.