On Easter Sunday, Ireland commemorated the 107th anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1916. The Easter Rising was a significant event in Irish history, as it marked the beginning of the country’s struggle for independence from British rule. This year’s commemoration took place outside the General Post Office (GPO) in Dublin, which served as the headquarters of the rebels during the Rising.
The event was attended by President Michael D. Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and other political and religious leaders. The ceremony began with a reading of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic by Brigadier General Seán Clancy of the Irish Defence Forces. The Proclamation declared the establishment of an Irish Republic and outlined the principles of democracy, equality, and justice that would guide it.
A wreath-laying ceremony followed, with representatives from the Irish government, the Defence Forces, and various organisations laying wreaths at the foot of the GPO’s statue of Cú Chulainn, a hero from Irish mythology. The ceremony also featured a minute of silence to honour those who died during the Easter Rising and in the struggle for Irish independence.
In his address, President Higgins emphasised the importance of remembering the events of 1916 and their impact on Irish history and identity. He cited the words of the Irish poet W.B. Yeats, who wrote that the Easter Rising “changed, changed utterly” the relationship between Ireland and Britain. President Higgins also paid tribute to the rebels and their sacrifice, calling them “visionaries who put the idea of an independent, fair, and equal Ireland before their own lives.”
Taoiseach Martin echoed the President’s sentiment, saying that the Easter Rising was a “watershed moment in our island’s history” and that it paved the way for the creation of the Irish state. He also emphasised the need to continue working towards a united and peaceful Ireland, saying that “the future is not just history waiting to happen – it can and will be shaped by our actions and deeds.”
The annual commemoration of the Easter Rising is an important event for Ireland, as it serves as a reminder of the struggle for independence and the sacrifices made by those who fought for it. It is also an opportunity for reflection on what it means to be Irish and to strive for a better future for all. As President Higgins said in his address, “we celebrate today not only the ideals and values of the past, but also the possibilities and potential of the future.”
