In a special message to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising, President Michael D. Higgins evokes the events and people of 1916, whose beliefs and actions make it possible for us, as a nation, to remember and reflect on the full richness of our history and the diversity of people and events that are part of what we are today.
President Higgins was particularly appreciative of the investment and commitment of the thousands of people, of all ages and backgrounds, who came forward with their wishes and suggestions, which form the basis of the 31 local community programmes which will take place nationwide in 2016.
The President said the centenary offers all of us an opportunity to reflect on events of the past, so that we can build a future that honours the promise of equality and inclusiveness contained in the 1916 Proclamation.
The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, led by Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, is a year-long programme of activity to commemorate the events of the 1916 Rising, to reflect on our achievements over the last 100 years and to look towards Ireland’s future.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.