Why commemorate the centenary of the Easter Rising?
We recently announced our Embassy’s programme of events to commemorate the Easter Rising of 1916. In all, we are supporting 87 events in various parts of Britain and I would expect this number to grow in the coming months. Here is some of what we have planned: Ireland 2016 commemorations programme in Britain.
I sometimes spot a gently raised eyebrow when I mention the extent of our commemorative programme here in Britain. I suppose there must be those who wonder why we are marking the Easter Rising in Britain as that momentous event in Irish history was, after all, an act of resistance to British rule in Ireland. Let me explain my approach to this commemoration.
When we commemorate we call to mind important aspects of our history which have helped shape how we are today. The Easter Rising was a transformative event for modern Ireland, which paved the way for our independence and all that flowed from it during the past 100 years.
The events of 1916 clearly warrant remembrance in Ireland, but what about the international dimension to the 1916 commemoration? As I see it, there are two main reasons for having an international commemoration. First, the event itself, and the independence struggle that followed it, had an impact well beyond our shores. It became a source of inspiration for independence movements elsewhere.
The second reason for internationalising our commemoration is that the Irish are a people who have made their mark in many countries, and not least here in Britain. It is natural that the global Irish would want to mark a turning point for our national story of which they are part.
But why commemorate the 1916 centenary in Britain? There are three reasons for this. These have to do with (i) the overlapping histories of Ireland and Britain; (ii) the value of remembering the past in an inclusive manner; and (iii) the opportunity to take stock of Irish-UK relations over the past 100 years and to look to their future course.
First, the Easter Rising was a significant event in the separate but overlapping histories of our two neighbouring islands. It had a major impact on Britain as well as on Ireland. Indeed, the events of Easter week 1916 helped change the constitutional make-up of our two countries. Therefore, what happened in Ireland a century ago also forms part of the story of 20th century Britain.
Second, Irish people have in recent times made a genuine effort to understand the role played by Irish people in British history, especially during the First World War when so many Irishmen from all backgrounds and traditions fought and died in British uniform. This more inclusive understanding of the Irish past goes back to 1998 when the then Irish President, Mary McAleese, and Queen Elizabeth dedicated the Island of Ireland peace tower at Messines.
In recent years, the Irish Government has stepped up its involvement in First World War commemorations. On Remembrance Sunday this year, the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, was in Enniskillen and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, was in Belfast while I was at the Cenotaph in London. This year there was strong Irish involvement in the centenary of Gallipoli and the same will happen next year for the commemoration of the Battle of the Somme.
2016 provides an opportunity for people here in Britain to become more familiar with developments in Ireland during that turbulent time and with their impact on British history.
Third, 1916 set Ireland on the road to independence in much the same way as the American Declaration of Independence did for the United States. It was the beginning of a new era between Ireland and the UK as neighbouring, sovereign States. The past century has seen many ups and downs in British-Irish relations, but we can be pleased at the friendship that has now developed. It is based on a unique political and economic partnership. This means that what happens in Britain (for example with regard to future membership of the EU) is of huge interest to us in Ireland and vice versa.
Proper reconciliation comes when we can appreciate each other’s perspectives. Part of the key to this lies, I would say, in an understanding of how we each view the past. We have come to understand the significance for Britain of wartime commemoration. I hope that next year’s commemoration will encourage people in Britain to understand the importance of Easter 1916 for Ireland and Irish identity. Through our commemorative programme, we hope to make a modest contribution in that direction.
Our Embassy’s commemorative programme will focus on: the Easter Rising and on Irish participation at the Somme; a century of Irish achievement, including in the cultural field; and the contribution of the Irish community in Britain. As our Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan has said: Our commemorative programme in Britain ‘acknowledges and honours the past in all its complexity but also seeks to look ahead to the future direction of relations between our two countries.’
A centenary is indeed a time for taking stock, for measuring progress made and mapping out future directions. It is my hope that next year’s commemoration will lead to greater awareness in Britain of the complexities of Irish history and the importance of Irish-UK relations for both our countries. I see it as an opportunity to advance further the journey of reconciliation on which we have been embarked for decades now.
Daniel Mulhall is Ireland’s Ambassador in London