Thomas Kent Burial and Re-Interment

Thomas Kent State Funeral and Re-interment

Collin’s Barracks and Castlelyons-17^th & 18^th September 2015

On Saturday 18^th September 2015, the State Funeral of Thomas Kent took place 99 years after his execution following the 1916 Easter Rising. Thousands of people lined the route from Collins Barracks in Cork City where his remains had lain in State the night before to the Church of St. Nicholas, Castlelyons in County Cork for the funeral mass.

Thomas Kent was executed after a gun battle with members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who came to arrest him and his brothers on 2^nd May 1916. Constable William Rowe was killed in the fight and Kent’s brother Richard later died of his wounds. Thomas Kent was executed by firing squad on 9^th May 1916 in the Military Detention Barracks, Cork and buried in an unmarked grave in its grounds. In June 2015, his remains were exhumed and DNA testing confirmed their identity.

In attendance at the Funeral were President Michael D. Higgins, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Joan Burton, Fianna Fáil Leader Michéal Martin and Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams. Thomas Kent was re-interred in the family plot in the graveyard at Castlelyons. Taoiseach Enda Kenny gave the funeral oration.

To view the RTE State Funeral and Re-interment of Thomas Kent you can watch Century Ireland’s video here.

 

Official State Booklet issued for the
Funeral and Re-interment of Thomas Kent

 

 

Booklet-Solemn Requiem Mass 18^th September 2015
In St. Nicholas Church, Castlelyons, County Cork