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Updated: 21.42
THE GOVERNMENT HAS unveiled its plans for commemorating the centenary of the 1916 Rising.
The Fine Gael Labour coalition came in for criticism after the draft programme was launched last November.
Since then, they’ve been working on a year-long series of commemoration events, which have now been made public.
The plans include:
Speaking at the launch in Collins Barracks this evening, Enda Kenny said the Rising’s huge historical significance needs to be celebrated.
“There are some moments in history when a seed is sown and the old order changes forever. Easter 1916 was a moment when Irish nationalism joined forces with a revolutionary cultural and language movement to forge an irresistible campaign towards self-determination.
Ireland 2016, as a year of reflection and engagement for everyone on this island, goes far beyond the formal marking of a key historical moment. It is a once-in-a-century invitation to people of all ages, at home and overseas, to shape and take part in a diverse range of historical, cultural and artistic activities, all designed to nurture reflection, commemoration, celebration and debate.
In good news for Kenny, there were no protesters this time around.
Tánaiste Joan Burton said the government is determined that Ireland 2016 won’t be “a programme for the elites and the people in the know, but a platform and programme for all our people”.
We are all of us equally entitled to call ourselves republican. We are all equally entitled to be inspired by the values espoused in the Proclamation of the Republic. We are all of us equally charged to make good in our time on the challenge posed to us by the men who penned that document all of a century ago.
Arts Minister Heather Humphreys said the programme will “reflect on our achievements over the last 100 years and collectively re-imagine our future”.
She said she was “particularly excited about the education programme, which will be rolled out to every school across the country and will ensure children are at the centre of the commemorations”.
Humphreys also said school children will be asked to draft their own versions of the proclamation, showcasing what’s important to them. This clarified comments made by the Taoiseach this afternoon.
Moore Street
Earlier today, the government announced it’s buying 14-17 Moore Street in Dublin. Number 16 was the location where the Rising’s leaders decided to surrender. The house along with the surrounding buildings was made a national monument in 2007.
The launch was attended by opposition TDs including Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh – both parties have already launched their own commemoration plans.
Former taoisigh Liam Cosgrave and Bertie Ahern were also in attendance.
More information on Ireland 2016 can be found here.
Originally published: 18.15
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Don’t cut their pay, completely remove the DUP’s pay. Let’s see how long they want to sit on the sidelines when they are flat broke. They can have sectarianism or a salary, they can’t have both.
@Seán Ó Briain: Rumours are rife that the DUP said yes for the first time since the Old Testament, they say God and country are important but cash is king.
@Seán Ó Briain: And make Brandon Lewis redundant too.
@Seán Ó Briain: their pals in the UVF could spot them a few quid from their drug money. Removing the protocol would be a giant carrot for them.
@Gerard McConnell: Always said: Loyal to the Half Crown.
Why ‘soon’? Why not now?!
I heard that interview where Brandon Lewis said that Jews were being prevented from practicing their faith. What kind of interviewer let’s him get away without explaining that.
We are allowing politicians and media influencers of all shades to make daft claims without being called to account.
@Pat Duggan: and orange one
@Stephen Walshe: This is just one example of the influence being wielded by probably less than 20% of the population. People with media influence capability are being allowed to convert the other 80% who do not use their critical powers to test the accuracy of what it being promoted. It used to be called propaganda.
Why is the Journal repeating the lie that the protocol is preventing the jewish community from practicing their faith? This has been proven to be untrue!
@Niall Power: Never heard that! What is meant to be the reason?
@Niall Power: Had a few have you?
@Niall Power: — They’re only quoting Brandon Lewis’s lies above, but they should actually point out that he’s blatantly lying through his teeth, which seems to be on a par with most of the Tories in high office. They all spout real howlers, like Suella Braverman, who announced that NI is way behind the rest of the UK in the trade and economy area, which is the complete opposite of what the situation really is. The problem is that a lot of people believe the nonsense they come out with.
@Sean D: a few Jews??..
@Sean D: I don’t drink!
@sean o’dhubhghaill: lack of access to kosher foodstuffs.
@sean o’dhubhghaill: Most of the Kosher goods came from the UK however, the shops and community have since found EU suppliers to deliver.
@sean o’dhubhghaill: there is a community of 75 Orthodox Jews who are facing DELAYS on kosher foods from uk. Yet there is an orthodox Jewish community in Dublin who are not having issues sourcing produce from uk. Hardly an insurmountable issue.
@Niall Power: sure look it, anyone who has an IQ in double figures know that anything coming out of a Tory/DUP is likely to be BS
Haha the DUP will prove they are far more loyal to the half crown …then the crown
@David cotter: all parties up there take the queens shillings. Cash is king for them all
The DUP won’t play “in protest over the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol”. Also because they lost the election to the Taigs.
Proper bloody order! About time too. We’ll done Brandon Lewis.
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