A public consultation for Ireland 2016 took place on Monday of this week, an event which saw members of the public pitch their ideas for 2016 celebrations in Westmeath.
Welcoming those present, Acting County Librarian, Paula O’Dornan spoke of separating the national celebrations from the local celebrations,
“Ireland 2016 is a national initiative to develop, coordinate and deliver a program for the 2016 centenary year with local, national and international events based on five intersecting themes. It’s a call to action to remember the events of 1916, to reflect on the last one hundred years and to re-image Ireland’s future.”
The Ireland 2016 initiative, which is led by the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht, has come under criticism in recent months, in particular for its low-profile launch in November 2014.
At Monday’s meeting, Director of Ireland 2016, John Colcannon spoke of the national program, and the seven core elements of the program, under the headings of State Ceremonial, Historical Reflection, An Teanga Bheo/The Living Language, Youth and Imagination, Cultural Expression, Community Participation and Global and Diaspora.
Mr. Colcannon spoke of how the Proclamation would be centre to the celebrations of 2016.
“The Proclamation was the spirit of 1916 and what drove the thinking behind the rebellion. One hundred years later, it gives us a lot to reflect on. The idea of a Republic was in itself a very radical idea in 1916.”
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Concannon called on all of Westmeath to get involved in the country’s 2016 celebrations.
“This is a national invitation. We want as many people as possible, to use this time to reflect on what was a very important time in our history. This a celebration of the fact that we a are Republic, and we all have a stake in the island and country. One hundred years ago, our fellow citizens seized the day and created a Republic which we are now the owners of. We need to decide what Westmeath wants to reflect on and how this places us in the future.
LOCAL INVOLVEMENT
Hugh O’Reilly, from the Community Development section of Westmeath County Council, spoke of the plans at local level for Westmeath to commemorate 1916, with a number of strands planned for the celebrations and the hope of involving a range of local organisations involved in the project, from Westmeath GAA to Comhaltas.
Mr. O’Reilly spoke of getting the families of 1916 involved in the project.
“A very important aspect of the project will be getting the families of those involved in that period of time involved in this project. This will be a task in itself but one worthwhile.”
Mr. O’Reilly spoke of involving local schools in the project, as an aside to the national plans, which will see a national flag delivered to every school in Ireland.
The possibility of holding a number of county conferences or seminars was also mentioned at Monday’s meeting, which would comprise local and national speakers discussing a broad range of topics on 1916.
GET INVOLVED
A local local steering group for 2016 has been established comprising staff members of Westmeath County Council and a number of local historians.
Any member of the public who wishes to get involved in Westmeath’s 2016 celebrations, should make submissions or put ideas in writing to Ireland 2016 Coordinator, Westmeath County Council, Arás and Chontae, Mount Street, Mullingar, or by emailing ireland2016@westmeathcoco.ie.
Closing date for receipt of submissions is Friday, 8 May.
