This coming March here in Dublin sees the nucleus of the 1916 Easter Rising commemorations in Dublin. The centenary celebrations have been brilliantly spread out over the course of the year but of course the main markings will take place around Easter weekend which falls at the end of the month.
It’s rare that we wouldn’t be solely focusing on the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day and all the crazy shenanigans that it entails but this bloggers excitement for March is aimed towards the many, many events planned to mark the 100th anniversary of what is arguably the most important event in our history, The 1916 Easter Rising (click link for a brief overview from www.irishstory.com on what was the 1916 Easter Rising, if you have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about). Of course the word celebration would be wrong to use and there will be a special poignancy to these commemorations for many Irish people, but the magnitude of this time is not to be underestimated. Never has there been more of a period in our history that divided opinion amongst our people more than these years, but ultimately, all these years later, we are together in embracing our history and educating ourselves on what happened in 1916 and also showing respect for the many who lost their lives fighting for the future of our country.
Ceremony and Parade
The Easter Sunday events begin on March 27th at 11:30am with a reading of the proclamation that was read by Padraig Pearse back in 1916 on the steps of the General Post Office (GPO) on O’Connell Street (known as Sackville Street in 1916). The President will lead the commemorations and there will be a minutes silence to remember the dead. The parade, led by the Defence Forces in full military display, begins at St Stephen’s Green. It will pass the GPO and continue to Parnell Square.
Ceremony
On March 29th there will be a state ceremony at Liberty Hall, just minutes from the hostel, to commemorate the role of The Irish Citizen Army and James Connolly who was executed by a British Firing Squad for his leadership role in the Rising.
Exhibition
On March 3rd, The National Museum will open a major exhibition at Collins Barracks in Arbour Hill, Dublin 7 called Proclaiming a Republic, the 1916 Rising.
Glasnevin Cemetery’s Museum will open its 1916 exhibition on March 10th.
Culture
On January 26th, at the Little Museum of Dublin on St Stephen’s Green, Irish artist Fergal McCarthy will respond to the centenary of the Easter Rising with a new exhibition of drawings illustrating the story of 1916 and its impact on the country over the past 100 years, in captivating black-and-white drawings with accompanying text.
Music and Culture
One of the most exciting events happening will be the ‘Imagining Home’ series over 7 days starting from March 28th to April 3rd at one of our national cultural institutions, the National Concert Hall.
‘’Inspired by the 1916 Proclamation, Imagining Home speaks of Irelands cultural journey over the past 100 years, its place in the world today and its shared future’’ said Heather Humphreys T.D. Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht:
There will be many traditional Irish singers and Irish actors and poets participating as well as famous musicians Glen Hansard, Paul Brady and Rosanne Cash.
These are just some of the brilliant events we have in store for the 1916 commemorations in March and we are thoroughly looking forward to remembering the heroes of 1916 with you.