1916 centenary weekend begins with dignified event

The weekend of 1916 centenary began with a dignified event in the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin which sought to honour those who fought and died in the Rising while remembering all who lost their lives in the violence of Easter week.

A combination of military ceremonial, traditional music, silent reflection and the laying of a wreath by President Michael D. Higgins made for a simple but touching ceremony that set the tone for the weekend.

The event sought to reflect the political reconciliation on the island of Ireland in recent decades and current good relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom, as reflected in the recent exchange of state visits.

Following the arrival of President Higgins and his wife Sabina at noon the event began with the singing of ‘the Parting Glass’ by the Island of Ireland Peace Choir which was chosen to reflect the spirit of reconciliation on the island which has evolved in recent decades.

The master of ceremonies, Feargal O Coigligh, assistant secretary at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gealtacht, welcomed the President and the other dignitaries to the Garden of Remembrance which was build 50 years ago on the site of the rotunda rink where the Irish Volunteers were founded in 1913.

A representative of the 1916 Relatives Association, Muriel McAuley, granddaughter of one of the Rising leaders, Thomas MacDonagh, read from a letter written by Padraig Pearse from Kilmainham Gaol.

This was followed by a piece of music for the violin performed by Patricia Treacy. The piece entitled ‘The Proclamation’ was composed by Patrick Cassidy

Then, following the reading of poems in Irish and English the formal state commemoration began with a prayer from the head chaplain of the Defence Forces, Fr Seamus Madigan, who concluded by his prayer by asking God to bring the blessings of peace of all present.

Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny then called on the President to lay the wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland in honour of all those who died in 1916.

President Higgins then laid the wreath which was followed by a minute’s silence and the playing of ‘Limerick’s Lamentation’ by a lone piper.

The playing of the Last Post, the raising of the national flag to full mast and the singing of the national anthem concluded the ceremony.

Acting Tánaiste Joan Burton and Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin were among the political dignitaries in attendance.

A message from the Government in the programme for the event called on all those present to preserve the memory of those who fought and gave their lives in the cause of Irish freedom.

“Today as we mark the centenary we again remember the fallen and we again remind ourselves of their aspiration to build a land which guarantees religious and civil liberties, equal rights and equal opportunities for all its citizens and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation, cherishing all the children equally.”

The message also referred to the 50 years that have passed since the 50th anniversary in 1966. “We have experienced violence, grief and tragedy on our island. We have weathered economic storms which caused untold damage to our communities but we have survived each crisis and we have worked to build peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and continue to do so.”

It also referred to the fact that the Garden of Remembrance was “the setting of a remarkable symbolic event in marking the reconciliation of the peoples of these islands as part of the exchange of State visits between Ireland and Britain.”

Historical and symbolic significance

Earlier Sabina Higgins laid a wreath and spoke about equality at Countess Constance Markievicz's grave at Glasnevin Cemetery.

Mr Higgins said the State would not have achieved independence without the 1916 Rising and the events that surrounded it.

“It is one of the founding events, without a doubt, and it is of immense significance in terms of where it occurs historically but also symbolically,” Mr Higgins said in a BBC interview broadcast on Saturday as the centenary commemoration events got underway.

The President said a greater depth of knowledge meant the Easter Rising was now being put “in context of what was happening in Europe” 100 years ago.

“I do think that without 1916, and the events that surrounded it, we would not have achieved our independence,” he said

President Higgins said Ireland’s approach to the Rising’s centenary was one of “ethical sensitivity”.

He said everyone’s take on history must be open to critique, and that Britain, like Ireland, had to closely examine its past.

“When we decide to address the issue of violence, let us speak of the violence of empire, the violence of state, the violence of insurrection,” he said.

Mr Higgins said the peace process in the North was “fragile” and an “ongoing project”, but that it would be “pessimistic and wrong” to say significant reconciliation had not been achieved.

Families of Rising

Later on Saturday , President Higgins is expected to meet the families of those killed during a special event in Dublin’s RDS where he will speak about the debt of gratitude owed to the rebels immortalised in the history books as well as the “unsung heroes” who took to the streets one hundred years ago.

The President is expected to focus on the “human essence” of the rebellion reflecting on combatants’ differing motivations as well as their influence in post-independence Ireland.

This weekend's events marking the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising will be rooted in respect and inclusivity, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys has said.

Speaking ahead of the events Ms Humphreys said: “The 1916 Rising was the seminal moment in our history, which set Ireland on the path to independence. This weekend, we will respectfully remember all of those who lost their lives; those who took brave and fateful decisions and those who simply got caught up in the conflict”.

Easter Sunday

The biggest event of the weekend is due to take place on Easter Sunday when more than a quarter of a million people will line the streets for a massive parade through Dublin city centre.

Almost 4,000 members of the Defence Forces, emergency services and army veterans will weave their way along the 4.5 km route from St Stephen’s Green to O’Connell Street and past the GPO on to Capel Street.

The unprecedented spectacle, which will begin at 10am with the reading of the Proclamation is being billed as the largest public celebration in the history of the state.

Wreaths will also be laid in Glasnevin at the Sigerson Monument, which honours the dead of 1916, and at the graves of Edward Hollywood, a silk weaver from the Liberties in Dublin who put together the Irish Tricolour in 1848, and the grave of Peadar Kearney, who wrote the lyrics to Amhran na bhFiann.

President Higgins will be in the Stone Breakers’ Yard in Kilmainham to lay a wreath on the site where the 1916 leaders were executed.

Further commemorations are planned for Easter Monday at each of the seven key battlefield sites in Dublin.

Cultural events are also being held in more than 200 venues across the city including 500 free talks, exhibitions, debates, film, performances and dramatisations, with six outdoor stages and activities for children and families.

Outside of Dublin simultaneous wreath laying ceremonies will take place in Athenry, Cork, Enniscorthy and Ashbourne.

State events being held this weekend include:

• State ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin at noon on Easter Saturday

• State event for relatives of participants in the Rising in the RDS on Saturday

• State ceremony in three parts at Glasnevin Cemetery on Sunday morning including wreath-layings at the Sigerson Monument, the grave of Edward Hollywood and the grave of Peadar Kearney.

• State Ceremonial event at the Stone Breakers Yard in Kilmainham on the site where the 1916 leaders were executed in Kilmainham Gaol.

• The Easter Centenary Parade in Dublin city centre on Sunday afternoon

• RTÉ Reflecting the Rising in partnership with Ireland 2016 on Monday at multiple locations around Dublin.

• Synchronised wreath-laying ceremonies on Easter Monday at seven 1916 garrison locations around Dublin and in Athenry, Cork, Enniscorthy and Ashbourne.

Full event details at Ireland.ie

Additional reporting PA