merrion street

The Minister for Diaspora Affairs this evening launched the next phase of the Digital Repository of Ireland’s Inspiring Ireland initiative which will paint a picture of people’s everday lives during 1916 through a series of online multimedia exhibitions.

Speaking at the event, the Minister said:  

‘Inspiring Ireland is a perfect platform for reaching out to our citizens abroad, our diaspora and Ireland’s international friends in commemorating this key period in our history.  We must not forget the important influence that the Irish diaspora had on events in Ireland one hundred years ago.  So it is fitting that our global family of today are given the opportunity to participate in our 2016 commemorations.  They can do so through the range of events organised by our embassies around the world as well as by viewing precious artefacts relating to 1916 and hearing the stories and narratives of this time on Inspiring Ireland.

I am particularly delighted that the first of the online exhibitions reflects the lives of women in Ireland who lived through the Rising – some directly involved in it and others impacted by the upheaval it wrought in their lives.  There are many stories of interest, including those of Nora Ashe, Lizzie Walsh and Louise Gavan Duffy whose unique experiences are brought to life through photos, diaries and expert commentary.  

I want to pay tribute to the Digital Repository of Ireland for their development of this initiative which will bring Ireland’s national heritage collections to a global audience and will fill in the background to the better known aspects of 1916.  This is part of DRI’s ongoing great efforts to digitally preserve our heritage and I look forward to viewing the full collections on Inspiring Ireland later in the year.’

19 January, 2016