Lile na Cásca
This Easter marks the 100 anniversary of the death of General Liam Lynch so I invite you to proudly wear the Easter Lily in his memory and of those great and gallant patriots who selflessly gave their lives that you and I might be free. The Easter Lily Lile na Cásca is traditionally worn to honour the memory of the those who died during the 1916 Easter Rising and those who were executed for their involvement. It has become the definitive Easter Rising commemorative symbol as well as to honour all of those who died for Ireland. It honours memory of Irish Republican Army and Cumann ná m’Ban members who died in Ireland’s war of independence and the civil war.
History of the Easter Lily
The Easter Lily is a beautiful conical-shaped white flower which was worn from ancient times to symbolize purity, virtue, innocence, hope and life. For Christians it represents the spiritual essence of Easter.
The Easter Lily was adopted and redesigned as an Easter rising commemorative emblem in 1925 by members of Cumann ná m’Ban. The following year, the Easter Lily Commemoration Committee was formed and continued to exist until 1965. Originally the Cumann ná m’Ban designed Easter Lily emblems were hand-made by its members. Proceeds from its nationwide sales each Easter went to the Irish Republican Prisoners’ Dependants Fund. In the acrimony that followed the civil war many sellers were vilified, attacked, arrested and even jailed for selling this symbol of the Easter Rising and Irish republicanism. Easter Lilly’s were traditionally sold outside church gates on Easter Sunday and was worn at Easter and other Republican commemorations. In its early years a broad spectrum of the republican movement from Sinn Féin to Fianna Fáil wore the lily. It was sold by members of those parties as well as the Irish Republican Army (IRA), Fianna Éireann, Cumann na m’Ban, and Conradh na Gaeilge.
Fianna Fáil Dissention
Following the murder of Richard More O’Ferrall by the IRA in February 1935, the Fianna Fáil leadership falsely associated the Easter Lily with the IRA which was incorrect as it was the Cumann ná m’Ban’s commemorative emblem of the Easter rising and was sold and worn by a broad spectrum of republicans. However, the Fianna Fail leadership instructed its party members to stop selling the Easter Lily as they said it was “the symbol of an organisation of whose methods we disapprove”. Fianna Fáil then introduced their own Easter commemorative emblem called the Easter Torch. It was discontinued as it proved unpopular with party grass roots who continued to wear the Easter Lily.
Cumann na m’Ban continues selling the Easter Lily from their headquarters on 223 Parnell Street. Dublin. Both Official and Provisional Sinn Fein sold and wore the Easter Lily in remembrance of their members who died on “active service”. With the decline and disintegration of the Official IRA and Official Sinn Fein, the Easter Lily became more associated with Provisional Sinn Fein. In recent year’s metal versions of the Easter Lily became popular which is worn for republican commemorations throughout the year.
Civil War Tragedy
This Easter marks the 100 anniversary of the deaths of the many who died during the closing phase of the civil war including Denny Lacy and Liam Lynch. In their memory and those others who died during those tragic events I invite you to proudly wear the Easter Lily and indeed to commemorate all of those great and gallant patriots who selflessly gave their lives that you and I might be free.
I Will Wear an Easter Lilly
1
Just past the hour of noon under the springtime sun
Pádraig Pearse stepping forward proclaimed Ireland free
On that fine Easter Monday with his gallant comrades
The tricolour proudly flew on high for Irelands destiny
Chorus
Proudly over my heart I will wear the Easter Lilly
Each Easter in memory of those who died for liberty
And if anybody’s asking me ‘Why am I wearing it?’
It’s to honour all of who died to make Ireland free.
2
The bravest and finest came to answered Irelands calling
Dublin has risen. Our tri-colour flying in the breeze
Proudly over the GPO and then began the fighting
And the call of the springtime is to make Ireland free
Chorus
Proudly over my heart I will wear the Easter Lilly
Each Easter in memory of those who died for liberty
And if anybody’s asking me ‘Why am I wearing it?’
It’s to honour all of who died to make Ireland free.
3
The battle was raging. Soon Dublin was burning
The roar of the guns, men fighting fierce for liberty
Our heroes fought bravely, our freedom proclaiming
Ireland finest had risen for her right to be free
Chorus
Proudly over my heart I will wear the Easter Lilly
Each Easter in memory of those who died for liberty
And if anybody’s asking me ‘Why am I wearing it?’
It’s all to honour of those who died to make Ireland free.
4
When the fighting was ended, our volunteers were marched away
To darkest Kilmainham, that’s when all it seemed was lost
An eerie silent followed in what seemed like Irelands darkest day
Those brave men had fought for freedom regardless of the cost.
Chorus
Proudly over my heart I will wear the Easter Lilly
Each Easter in memory of those who died for liberty
And if anybody’s asking me ‘Why am I wearing it?’
It’s to honour all of those who died to make Ireland free.
5
Just poets and dreamers sneered and jeered at with derision
England in her fury the leader’s one by one they shot
The tide soon was turning they now were heroes with great vision
Their martyrdom awakened the whole nation with a shock
Chorus
Proudly over my heart I will wear the Easter Lilly
Each Easter in memory of those who died for liberty
And if anybody’s asking me ‘Why am I wearing it?’
It’s all to honour all of those who died to make Ireland free
6
The soul of our nation rose proudly from our heroes’ fate
On each Easter Monday their brave actions we recall
Their memory for ever we will proudly commemorate
The Tricolour flying high for those who gave their all
Chorus
Proudly over my heart I will wear the Easter Lilly
Each Easter in memory of those who died for liberty
And if anybody’s asking me ‘Why am I wearing it?’
It’s all to honour of those who died to make Ireland free.
© Tomas O’Riain 2021
