Planning the Easter Rising celebrations: 1916 – 2016

By Róisín Curé in Galway

I’m a very bad Irish citizen. I gave up history in school after the Inter Cert exam (aged about 15) and we hadn’t got onto 20th century Irish history yet, so I know practically nothing about my own country’s recent past. I’m married to an Englishman who knows a lot more about 20th century Ireland than I do, so he’s told me a good bit about it and helps to put today’s political climate into context. Admittedly he does this from an English viewpoint, and the conversation often ends up with one of us going off in a huff – not me – but I have become a little more informed than I was.

Next year marks the centenary of the Easter Rising. There will be lots of celebrations throughout Ireland, and there’s been a call for ideas from the general public. Last night I attended an evening in Galway City Museum designed to winkle out ideas from people interested in the commemoration of the Rising, attended by about a hundred people, and after a very rousing presentation by John Concannon of Fáilte Ireland I felt rather patriotic. I wouldn’t say I felt as emotional as when the Ryanair plane touches down on Irish soil in Shannon Airport, when I usually shed tears – partly of joy to be home, partly of relief to still be alive – but it wasn’t half bad.

John Concannon telling us about the focus of next year’s celebrations.

Last night I learned that many people feel very strongly about the events of 1916. One man felt that the seven signatories to the Proclamation would be very disappointed to see how our country has not lived up to their ideals. Another one or two wanted to rename much of Galway’s streets to commemorate heroes of 1916, while others suggested having plaques mounted so that people would know why they have the names they currently do. Some women I know felt that yet again the role of women during the Rising was being played down, and I agreed to a large extent (happily I have a really cool plan to do something about that: watch this space). One of my neighbours grabbed the mike off a protesting Master of Ceremonies and insisted on making her own comment: she is over 80, has the vigour of a 50-year-old – make that 40 – with a beautiful, strong voice that barely needed a mike, despite her tiny but elegant stature. She made her comment – that the word “politics” hadn’t been mentioned, despite the socialist ideals of the Signatories – and was roundly applauded. Drama!

I’m not at all political by nature (not having any particular need to be) but I will be happy to present an illustrated record of people’s stories of what it was like to live through that time. In fact it will be my honour.

More on my website.

Share

Recent Posts

International Urban Sketchers Week 2024!

March 1, 2024

We are excited to share with you that we have registered a...

Read More

Drawing Attention March 2024

March 1, 2024

  Drawing Attention, the official zine of the Urban Sketchers organization, communicates...

Read More

Open Call for USk Symposium Buenos Aires 2024 Correspondents

February 21, 2024

  ***** SPANISH VERSION FOLLOWS BELOW / VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL A CONTINUACIÓN...

Read More

Announcing the USk Symposium Buenos Aires 2024 Program Schedule, Workshop Instructors, and Activity & Demo Presenters

February 3, 2024

We are delighted to announce the 12th Urban Sketchers Symposium Buenos Aires...

Read More