City starts planning for 1916 commemoration

Galway preparations for the official commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising will be ratcheted-up in the coming months.

Galway’s two local authorities are planning a series of events to commemorate 1916.

The plans, which are in the embryonic stage, include a year-long series of events, which will culminate in a weekend of activities around the Easter weekend of 2016.

Plans to restore a Connemara retreat used by the leader of the 1916 Rising, Pádraig Pearse, will form a central part of the centenary celebrations in the county.

Another leader of the Rising, Eamonn Ceannt, was born in Galway and his connections with the city and county are likely to feature strongly in the programme of events.

Galway City Council and Galway County Council were both represented at a recent official gathering hosted by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, to co-ordinate the country’s 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising.

City Council Chief Executive, Brendan McGrath and Acting County Council Chief Executive, Kevin Kelly, will both be hoping for a slice of the €4 million budget in 2015 that has been allocated by central Government for the commemorations.

Mr McGrath has vowed to convene an in-house committee to devise an action plan for the City Council’s commemorations.

It is due to meet early in 2015, and will involve staff from various different departments within the Council. A similar committee is planned in the County Council.

A City Council spokesperson said elected members of the Council, as well as the public and various bodies who have an interest in the centenary of 1916, will be consulted on what events are appropriate for eth series of celebrations.

“Our series of events are likely to involve people like the arts officer, our heritage officer and of course, the City Museum. We are planning events – not just one single event. We will have a series of events leading up to the main event around Easter 2016.”

Galway County Council’s commemorations are likely to centre round Pearse’s Cottage in Rosmuc, which is being revamped in time for the centenary. Restoration work on the National Monument, which was used as a retreat by Pádraig Pearse, one of the leaders of 1916, will continue this year.

Plans will be advanced this year to enhance the experience offered to visitors through two new buildings housing exhibition space, an interpretative centre, education rooms, a library and archive and cafe.

The Government has committed to providing €2 million in funding for the completion of the project by 2016.

Meanwhile, the Government Minister responsible for 1916 commemorations, Áodhán Ó Ríordáin, has been briefed on the role Galway can play in the centenary year.

Galway West TD Derek Nolan has warned his Labour colleague that the celebrations must not be Dublin-centric.

“I was delighted to bring Minister Áodhán Ó Ríordáin, who is directly responsible for the 1916 commemorations, to Dún Uí Mhaolíosa in Galway recently,” said Deputy Nolan.

“We met with local historian Willie Henry, Mick Crehan from the Stirling Sessions and Bríd Uí Chonghaile of Gaillimh na Gaeilge and it was clear that Galway has so much to offer in celebrating this historic and cultural event.

“The Minister also heard about Eamonn Ceannt, one of the 1916 leaders who was born in Galway and maintained a strong connection with the city. During the meeting, some really strong ideas were put forward about the cultural, musical and historical significance of this iconic figure, particularly as he was a renowned piper.”