Portraying the 1916 Rising as a futile rebellion whose only goal was 'blood sacrifice' is a common perspective put forward by those who wish to denigrate the event and its participants, but a public meeting in Galway will challenge this view.
Kieran Allen, lecturer in sociology at University College Dublin, will discuss the 1916 Rising and how revolution, social change, and a radical vision of a more equal Irish society lay at the heart of its vision. The meeting will take place in The Western Hotel, Prospect Hill, on Wednesday March 30 at 8pm.
“The rising was not a ‘blood sacrifice’ but a serious attempt at insurrection," said Mr Allen. "It was followed by a revolutionary process that saw Irish people fight not just for national but social freedom. Those who fought in that revolt were often inspired by the ideals of James Connolly. His vision still needs to be realised in modern Ireland.”
People Before Profit's Kiran Emrich said: “There will be many official events laid on to commemorate the Rising. But the current political establishment have never sought to implement the vision of the proclamation which promised to ‘cherish all the children of the nation equally’. One hundred years after the rising over 1,600 children must sleep in emergency accommodation and hundreds must wait on trolleys for hospital treatment.”
The meeting is being organised by the People Before Profit Alliance and is part of a series of 1916 Rising commemorations PBP is holding. Kieran Allen is orginally from Galway. His latest book is 1916: Ireland’s Revolutionary Tradition, copies of which will be available on the night. Admission is free and all are welcome.
