Dubliners urged to remember events of 1916

DUBLINERS and visitors have been encouraged to remember and reflect on the seismic events of Easter Week 1916, which shook the capital’s streets 100 years ago. 

The Dublin Remembers 1916 Centenary Programme of commemorative events will include a series of lectures, talks by expert historians, exhibitions and conferences in Dublin libraries, City Hall, Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane and other venues in the city.

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Críona Ní Dhálaigh, launched the programme at Dublin City Library and Archive, Pearse Street, at a preview of the specially commissioned exhibition Citizens in Conflict, Dublin 1916.

“The most important thing about remembering 1916 is that we have to ensure that communities are at the heart of the commemorations,” the Lord Mayor said.

“I am delighted that Dublin City Council will commemorate the 1916 Rising with a comprehensive programme of events and exhibitions, including a scheme of community grants under which 193 groups across the city have been supported in organising commemorative events in their area.

“I welcome this community participation and encourage Dubliners and visitors to engage with the history of this pivotal event in our history.”

Banners and flags commemorating the Rising will be flown on flagpoles and lampposts at various locations in the city during the year. Ceremonial events such as the unveiling of commemorative plaques at 1916 garrison sites around the city will also recognise the importance of these locations in Dublin during that Easter Week.

The City Council’s Assistant Chief Executive Brendan Kenny, added: “Dublin was at the heart of the 1916 Rising and Dublin City Council is proud to present this commemorative programme.

“We are looking forward to delivering two of the State’s seven 2016 ‘permanent reminder’ projects: the restoration of Richmond Barracks, Inchicore, scene of the 1916 courts martial and No. 14 Henrietta Street, which will trace the life of a Dublin townhouse from Georgian opulence to tenement living as lived by many Dubliners in 1916.”

Permanent reminders such as the redeveloped Richmond Barracks, which opens on May 2, will serve as an exhibition centre, a visitor centre and a community resource. The ongoing restoration of No. 14 Henrietta Street will explore the varied histories and cultures of people who lived there over three centuries and it is due to be completed in early 2017.

All the cultural services of Dublin City Council, including Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, the Arts Office, the Heritage Office, the Libraries and Archives are contributing to the commemorations programme.

Copies of the Dublin Remembers 1916 programme will be available next week from Dublin City Council libraries, area offices, galleries, and across the city in various venues.

And a full programme of events is available at dublincity.ie/decadeofcommemorations