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Minister Madigan T.D. to lay a wreath at a ceremony on Easter Sunday in Glasnevin Cemetery to commemorate all of those who died during the 1916 Easter Rising

The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan T.D. will this morning (Sunday, 1 April) attend a special ceremony in Glasnevin Cemetery to mark the 102nd anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.  Minister Madigan and Ms Sarah Tiffin, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy, will lay wreaths at the Sigerson Monument in remembrance of those who lost their lives.  The French Ambassador H.E. Stéphane Crouzat and Brigadier General Howard Berney, Defence Forces General Officer Commanding 2nd Brigade, will lay wreaths at the grave of Edward Hollywood.  The ceremony will close with the laying of wreaths at the grave of Peadar Kearney by his great grandson and by John Green, Chairman of Glasnevin Trust. 

 

Minister Madigan said: 

It is a great honour for me to represent the Government at this ceremony of remembrance to commemorate all those who died in the cause of Irish freedom during Easter Week 1916.  We remember in a special way those who rest in peace in this cemetery and the creators of our two great symbols of nationhood. 

We commemorate Edward Hollywood who brought us our National Flag, with its message of reconciliation and friendship between the different traditions on this island.  The pride and respect that we feel for our flag is at the heart of our identity as Irish people and a powerful symbol of our commitment to promoting peace and mutual understanding among all communities. 

We remember also Peadar Kearney, who in 1907 wrote the original English lyrics of ‘The Soldier’s Song’.  The translation of his song – Amhrán na bhFiann - has been our National Anthem since 1926. 

 

Minister Madigan added:

This year, as we remember the significant milestones reached in 1918 on the long and difficult journey towards enfranchising men and women equally and the full inclusion of women in political life, it is fitting that we also pay a special tribute to Dora Sigerson. She was a gifted sculptor and a major figure of the Irish Literary Revival who designed this beautiful memorial to honour those who gave their lives in the pursuit of self-determination and nationhood.