Limerick City & County Council launches Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme

  • 1916 Limerick Programme Launch
Actor, Mike Finn, pictured reading the proclamation at the launch of Limerick's Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. Picture: Alan Place

An extensive programme of events across the seven programme strands of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme was launched at the Granary Library, Michael Street, Limerick, last night (Monday, 7 December 2015) by Cllr. Liam Galvin, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick.

Led by Limerick City & County Council and under the guidance of the local 1916 Co-ordinator, the programme is the outcome of consultations with interested local groups, organisations and individuals who were invited to participate in the planning and implementation of events and initiatives during 2016.

Some of the events planned for Limerick City & County Council include:

  • A re-enactment of a march by 300 Irish Volunteers to Glenquin Castle to receive a shipment of arms.
  • ‘Roots of the Rising’ – the family history of Ned Daly and Con Colbert by Limerick Genealogy.
  • Memorial Gardens will be erected at Limerick City, Newcastle West, Kilmallock and Rathkeale.
  • ‘As If She Had a Right to be There’ – an exhibition of drawings by Ashlinn O’Keeffe relating to women’s involvement in Irish Struggle for Independence..
  • Rith 2016 – a nationwide relay run to celebrate the Irish language will be visiting Limerick on 8th March 2016.
  • ‘1916 Today – An Anthology of Reactions’ by Limerick Writers Centre.

Cllr. Liam Galvin, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick said: "This comprehensive programme of events represents the outcome of many hours of reflection, consultation and discussion involving hundreds of people all over Limerick. I am particularly happy that it celebrates our National Flag, our Proclamation, our Army, and above all, those who fought and died for our independence."

"I am pleased to note that the programme also acknowledges the key role that women played in the Rising. Our children and young people are central to the programme, which aims to capture their imagination so that they may better understand the events of 1916. My hope is that 2016 will belong to everyone in this City and County and indeed on this island, regardless of political or family background, or personal interpretation of our modern history," he added.

Conn Murray, Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council and Chairperson of the 1916 Steering Committee, said, "The story and events of 1916 belongs to all of us regardless of political or family background, or personal interpretation of our modern history. I am delighted that so many people, and especially our children and young people, are taking part in such a diverse range of events across our County next year."

"This programme is an opportunity for us to showcase some of the fantastic creativity and innovation which is taking place across our community and I look forward to ensuring that next year will be a truly once-in-a centenary experience for our citizens and our County," added Mr. Murray

The Irish Defence Forces were represented at Monday evening's programme launch.

The 31 Local Authority Programmes for Ireland 2016 represent the outcome of many hundreds of hours of reflection, consultation and discussion involving thousands of people all over Ireland.  Further information on the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme is available at www.ireland.ie.

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Treaty Stone Limerick. Photo Piotr Machowczyk