A Garden of Remembrance is being created in Shantalla to honour the men and women of the 1916 Rising. Phase one of the project will be officially opened on Easter Monday, March 28, at 4pm.
The Shantalla Residents Association has created the garden, adjacent to Colmcille Road, opposite Shantalla Community Centre. The event will begin with the reading of the Proclamation by a local actor Sean O’Brien. A black marble plaque will be unveiled with the Proclamation engraved on it. The national flag will be raised and seven trees have been planted in memory of the seven signatories. Music and refreshments will be provided and all are welcome.
The plaque will be unveiled by Mrs Maureen Burke, niece of Sean Mulvoy. Mayor Frank Fahy will be in attendance. There will be an address by NUI Galway’s Prof Tony Varley.
“We believe this garden will be only one of two permanent commemorative sites in the city to 1916,” said a spokesperson for the Shantalla residents. “Given Shantalla’s association with the great liberator Daniel O’Connell it is an ideal location for a 1916 Memorial.”
Phase two of this project will include walkways and a number of flower beds. A time capsule will be buried, to be opened on the 200th anniversary of the Rising. People or groups with suggestions or ideas to place into the capsule are welcome. It is envisaged the garden will be complete within the next eight to 10 weeks.
