THERE was a certain amount of head scratching last week when the Taoiseach seemed to suggest that the Government would be drafting a new proclamation to mark next year’s centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising.
Fianna Fáil took particular umbrage at the thoughts of Fine Gael and Labour tampering with the legacy of the historic document’s original signatories. Enda Kenny is many things, but he ain’t no Padraig Pearse.
Personally, I was more fearful of the cringe factor that any new proclamation would bring, especially when I imagined our good Taoiseach, resplendent in 1916 rebel military garb, reciting it outside the GPO. It would have been the most embarrassing stunt since Enda urged us to sign his
‘Contract for a Better Ireland’ back in 2007.
Thankfully, it was all a bit of a misunderstanding and Government sources were quick to downplay Kenny’s remarks, explaining that he had been referring to a project for schools. Phew!
It’s important we don’t get too carried away when it comes to commemorating the events of 1916, which altered the course of our history and ultimately led to the formation of the Irish State.
Queen Elizabeth’s initial enthusiasm for sharing in next year’s celebrations was quietly (and sensibly) forgotten about. While some of our political leaders thought it was a great idea at the time of President Higgins’ State visit to Britain last year, the involvement of the royal family in any Easter 1916 events would – to put it mildly – have given rise to certain sensitivities.
There was some positive news last week, though, when the Government revealed it was purchasing the historic 14-17 Moore Street site, the last bastion of the rebels before their surrender. Plans are now afoot to preserve the buildings as a museum and provide a lasting and fitting tribute to those who died for the cause of Irish freedom.
Given Ireland’s shameful record of pouring concrete all over its national heritage (Wood Quay, the Hill of Tara, to name but two), this is a welcome change of tack and a valuable contribution to the commemoration of the Rising. With a general election due to take place early next year, we should be mindful of political parties attempting to hijack the 1916 celebrations by overtly wearing their republican credentials on their sleeves. We can only hope that the events will be dignified, inclusive, respectful and above politics.
The Government has one year to get it right.