Written answers

Thursday, 12 November 2015

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Commemorative Events

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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222. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which her Department continues to co-ordinate the commemoration of 1916, with particular reference to the need to ensure inclusiveness, and reflecting the totality of Ireland's culture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39952/15]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Ireland 2016 Centenary programme is an invitation to everyone on the island of Ireland and to the global Irish community to shape and engage in a diverse range of historical, cultural and artistic activities – all designed to facilitate reflection, commemoration, celebration, debate and analysis and an active imagining of our future. The five themes, which underpin the programme – Remembering; Reconciling, Presenting, Imagining, and Celebrating - are intended to give people scope to think about the events of 1916 and its legacy in a way that is personal and meaningful to each individual.

The programme reflects the complexity and diversity of our history and of Ireland today. As with all of the key events in this Decade of Centenaries, this inclusive approach gives people across the island of Ireland the opportunity to explore, reflect on and build greater understanding of and respect for the many intertwined traditions on this island. A number of elements of the programme will take place on an all-Island basis, including an all-island schools history competition, which was developed in partnership with the Department of Education in Northern Ireland, and will give schools the chance to explore any aspect of life or events in 1916. There are other initiatives such as drama and song competitions which will engage children on an all-island basis. It should also be noted that while the focus of the Ireland 2016 programme is on commemorating the events of one hundred years ago, this centenary is also a chance to celebrate all that has been achieved on the island of Ireland in the last one hundred years. A formal state event will be held to mark the journey of reconciliation from Easter 1916 to Easter 2016, and highlight the importance of the Good Friday Agreement in that regard. The significant role and influence of the diaspora on the events of one hundred years ago will be prominently acknowledged and we will also seek to celebrate the continued close ties with the vibrant diaspora we have today, as well as with Ireland’s many friends overseas.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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223. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which personalities such as Francis Sheehy-Skeffington are likely to be remembered in the context of the 1916 commemorations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39953/15]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, which was launched on 31st March 2015, will include a rich diversity of programmes and events, complementary and additional to formal State occasions, running throughout 2016 to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising. The programme is an invitation to everyone on the island of Ireland and to the global Irish community to shape and engage in a diverse range of historical, cultural and artistic activities – all designed to facilitate reflection, commemoration, celebration, debate and analysis and an active imagining of our future. I am committed, together with my Government colleagues, to ensuring that, as we commemorate those who fought and those who died in 1916, we also acknowledge the many civilians and non-combatants who lost their lives, including figures such as Francis Sheehy-Skeffington. An Interfaith Service will be held on 3rd April in Glasnevin Cemetery, where all those who lost their lives during the Rising, including civilian dead will be remembered.

Under the 'Community Participation' strand of the programme, the 31 local authorities have recently published their plans for a suitable programme of events and initiatives to take place at a county level following an extensive public consultation process. It is envisaged that many local authorities will be hosting specific events and developing initiatives dedicated to commemorating all those who lost their lives, including civilians and children.

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