In a wide ranging speech, the leading republican activist paid tribute to the area's republican dead and made special reference to the political commitment and young age of many of the volunteers included on the local Republican Roll of Honour.

He dealt with the different phases of the republican struggle pointing out the contribution of many ordinary men and women, young and old who found themselves in exceptional circumstances when witnessing the brutality of a unionist regime faced with the modest democratic demands of the Civil Rights Movement in the late 1960s.

Tribute was also paid to those volunteers and political activists, anti H-Block/Armagh campaigners and former political prisoners from across the area who died in subsequent years whether on hunger strike, active service or as a result of collusion between the British State and their agents.

Kelly dealt with the political conditions in Ireland today and said it was his party's intention to see republican objectives met in the time ahead. He pointed to the work that needs to be done and invited everyone to become involved in his party's work programme. Quoting Bobby Sands, he said: 'Everyone, Republican or otherwise has their own particular part to play. No part is too great or too small, no one is too old or too young to do something.'

Sunday's commemoration saw the area's republican youth play a leading role in the ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance at Gulladuff.

The local Roll of Honour from 1798 to the present day was read in three sections by Andrea O'Kane from Dungiven, Sean Bateson from Kilrea and Michael McLaughlin from Ballymaguigan.

The ballad Farewell to Bellaghy was sung by Aileen McElwee, niece of H-Block hunger striker, Thomas McElwee before a poem by Bobby Sands, The Rhythm of Thyme was read by Liam Duggan from Lavey.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of Óglaigh na hÉireann, Sinn Féin, Counties Derry and Antrim Republican Graves Association and the families of those included on the local Roll of Honour.