Event co-ordinator, Gerard O'Mahony (left) with relatives of Liam Heffernan, Catherine and Fionn McCready, at last Sunday's 1916 event in Conna - also present are Cllr. Frank O'Flynn (chairperson of Cork County Council's 1916 committee) and flag bearer, Sonny O'Shea. (John Ahern)

The east Cork village of Conna has a revolutionary past that can be traced back to 1798. It also has strong links with the Irish Volunteers who were to the forefront of the rebellion in 1916.

During 2016 this hugely significant centenary has been marked with a variety of events and on Sunday last, Conna concluded its centenary programme by formally renaming 3 bridges on the River Bride.

First up was the bridge in Conna village – from here on to be known as Liam Heffernan Bridge – Liam Heffernan (1896 – 1920) died after a shoot out with the Royal Irish Constabulary, at the time of his death he was a member of B Company, 4th Battalion, Cork Number 1 Brigade IRA – his specialist driving skills (he was a chauffeur for The Commerical Hotel in Midleton) made him a valuable asset to his brigade.

Coverage in this week’s Print Edition