merrion street

Hundreds of children and young people will attend a special ceremonial event at Áras an Uachtaráin today (Wednesday 15th June) to remember the 40 children who died in the Easter Rising and to share their vision for Ireland.

As part of Ireland 2016, and in partnership with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, a series of consultations took place with children and young people, between the ages of 8 and 18, in Ireland and Northern Ireland, to find out what things they liked about Ireland and Northern Ireland and what things they would like to change. Today’s event has been carefully planned, in keeping with the wishes of the young workshop participants, and forms part of the Re-Imagine strand of the Centenary Programme. The results of the consultations are contained in a special report Children Seen and Heard 1916 – 2016, which will be presented to Minister Heather Humphreys and Minister Katherine Zappone as part of today’s event.

Hosted by President Michael D. Higgins, the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin have been transformed for the occasion so that children will be able to enjoy playing popular games from 1916. The formal ceremony will include a lantern procession, one for each of the 40 children who died in the Rising, a presentation by some of the children on their vision for the future, the burying of a time capsule and a special tree-planting ceremony. Broadcaster and author of Children of the Rising, Joe Duffy is the MC for today’s event.

Speaking in advance of today’s event, Minister Humphreys, said: "I am delighted that children and young people have engaged so positively with the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme through the schools programme and through the consultation process leading up to today's event. It's important that children and young people have a voice in how we plan for the future as they are the decision-makers of tomorrow. I know that I and my colleague, Minister Zappone, will be reflecting on the findings of the report and discussing further with our Cabinet colleagues. I would like to sincerely thank the children and young people here today for their thoughtful contributions invaluable input."

Highlights of the report from the children and young people include:

· Our language, history, culture, dancing, sports and the warmth of our people are important
· They like the inclusivity and sense of community that they experience living in Ireland
· The fact that Ireland is a free and equal country with a green environment is important
· Drugs, alcohol abuse, racism, bullying and the stereotypical image of Ireland abroad were among the aspects of Irish society they disliked the most
· The teenagers who participated in the discussions spoke out against discrimination, homophobia, inequality and bullying
· They spoke about the poor supports for mental health and wanted everything possible to be done to help reduce the number of suicides
· Homelessness and an end to poverty were amongst the things they would like to change
· The teenagers were unhappy with aspects of the education system, especially the Leaving Certificate Points System

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone TD., who was presented with a copy of the Report said: “Children and young people clearly have strong views on the future of our nation and they must be heard. Their love of our culture, heritage and traditions and rejection of racism, bullying and discrimination is a source of huge hope for Ireland’s future. The strong votes for action on homelessness, poverty as well as the need for services for physical and mental health show that the values we all hold dear do cross generations, while I am sure their unhappiness with the points system and the pressure of the Leaving Cert will strike a chord with many grownups.”

Notes to Editors:

The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, led by Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, T.D., is a year-long programme of activity to commemorate the events of the 1916 Rising, to reflect on our achievements over the last 100 years and to look towards Ireland’s future. Full details of the Ireland 2016 programme is available at www.ireland.ie @ireland #ireland2016
The two children who will help with the burial of the time capsule and tree planning are: Jack Cronin, Aged 9 from Parteen National School in Co. Clare to step will be involved in the burial of the time capsule. Brona Galvin-Byrne, Aged 16, from Clare Comhairle na nÓg will help the Head Gardener to prepare the Irish Oak Tree for planting by the President.
Schedule of event:
· 11am Children and young people arrive at Áras an Uachtaráin, games and entertainment as well as tours of the Áras available
· 1pm After a light lunch, the official ceremony to remember the children who died in 1916 begins. It includes a welcome by Master of Ceremonies Joe Duffy, which will be followed by an address by President Michael D. Higgins.
· 1.20pm The MC introduces the narrators who will read out the names of the children who died in the Rising. A child or young person will carry a lantern, one for each of the children who died, to the stage. Two children will light a candle to remember all the children in the world who have died as a result of the conflict.
· 1.50pm Short presentations from the young people on what they would like to see in the Ireland of the future. They will present each Minister with a copy of the Children Seen and Heard 1916 – 2016 Report.
· 2.10pm Ceremonial Tree Planting of an Irish Oak in the grounds of the Áras by President Higgins, who will be accompanied by the 40 children who participated in the lantern procession. The children will also bury a time capsule beside the tree.
· 2.40pm MC makes closing remarks and ceremony ends.
A copy of Children Seen and Heard 1916 – 2016 is available here. The summary report can be downloaded here. A copy of the report of consultations with children and young people from Northern Ireland is available here.