Galway was one of the few places outside Dublin to take significant action in the 1916 Rising, so it only right that Galway should play a major role in the centenary celebrations.
This is the view of Fine Gael Galway West TD, and chair of the Fine Gael Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Sean Kyne, who this week welcomed the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme and said it was “fitting”, that the commemorations “go beyond Dublin” with several strands particularly relevant to Galway and the west.
“1916 was a pivotal moment in the history of the Irish nation and the birth of the modern Irish State,” he said. “The Rising included not only the tumultuous events in Dublin during Easter Week of 1916 but also the importance of Connemara and An Ghaeilge to leading figures of the Rising, particularly Pádraig Pearse, and the rebellion in Galway led by Liam Mellows which took place in Oranmore, Clarinbridge, and Athenry.”
The 'State Ceremonial' strand of the Programme will see the official opening of an interpretative and visitors’ centre at Teach an Phiarsigh, Ros Muc, Connemara, which is one of seven flagship commemorative projects that will serve as permanent reminders of the Rising and its ideals.
Údarás na Gaeltachta, An Taibhdhearc, Connemara-based Fíbín, NUIG's Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta, TG4, and RnaG are among the Galway-based organisations contributing to the Ireland 2016 Programme.
Other strands of the 2016 Programme set out roles for the Arts Council, Culture Ireland, museums, schools, and educational institutions which will encourage and enable communities across Galway, the west, and the country to participate in Ireland 2016 and commemorate the momentous events of the 1916 Rising.
