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GALLERY: Clare’s 1916 commemoration unveiled

Kevin Conlon of the Tulla Pipe Band alongside The Centurial Sphere. Pic: Gary Collins
Kevin Conlon of the Tulla Pipe Band alongside The Centurial Sphere. Pic: Gary Collins

Members of the Defence Forces joined with politicians, musicians and the local community in Ennis, County Clare, on Sunday for the unveiling of an artwork commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Rising.

Located at Club Bridge adjacent to the Easter Rising Memorial Stone installed in 1966, The Centurial Sphere’ and its unveiling marks the centrepiece of an 80 event strong Centenary Programme in Clare.

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Commissioned by Clare County Council, Kilkee-based sculptor Paddy Murray’s artwork is an internally-illuminated steel sphere that has been galvanised and lacquered to appear verdigris, while it is placed on a plinth provided by Pat McInerney and Noel O’Halloran of Ballykett Quarry. The Sphere carries lines from poems and songs about and from different parts of Clare celebrating the County’s cultural tradition, a tradition cherished by the men and women of 1916.

With the support of Ennis Civic Trust the surrounding site, which was developed in 1966 using stones from all over the county representing the involvement of all areas of Clare in the Easter Rising, has been upgraded.

Among the known Clare natives who directly direct participated in the Rising were Peadar Clancy (Cranny) Michael O’Dea, C O’Halloran and Joseph & Daniel Canny (Tulla), Timothy Kelly and J Malone (Feakle), Thomas O’Loughlin (Carron), Martin Lynch (Coolmeen), Martin Crowe and Herbert & William Hunt (Corofin), Patrick O’Connor (Killaloe), Patrick & Michael Brennan (Meelick), PJ Hogan, Jimmy Slattery and Denis Healy (Bodyke), Thomas Keirse (Kilnaboy), Mick Dynan (O’Callaghan’s Mills) and MJ Shannon (Quin).

In his last official event as Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr. James Breen described the commissioned work as “a fitting and lasting legacy to an event in Irish history that shapes us to this day.”

“We remember 1916, not simply out of national pride, but rather out of the knowledge that to forget is to lose sight of the principles of the 1916 proclamation,” he said.

Cllr. Breen continued, “Those who rose up against the British Empire ultimately were the inspiration behind the establishment of the Irish Free State just 5 years later. Just as we remembered 1916 on its fiftieth anniversary at the corner of Club Bridge and Lower Abbey Street in 1966, we again honour the memory of those who paid the ultimate price for their country so their fellow countrymen and women could enjoy freedom from tyranny.”

“This centenary year affords all of us the opportunity to measure progress in our society over the past 100 years. It is a time of reflection and consideration of how Ireland as a nation has matured since those turbulent early years of the early 20th century,” said the Cathaoirleach. “The centenary programme here in Clare belongs to everyone in the County, regardless of political or family background, or personal interpretation of our modern history.”

Sunday’s ceremony was addressed by the Cathaoirleach, Michael O’Reilly from The National Ireland 2016 Project Office and Cllr. Pat Hayes, Chairperson of the County Clare 1916 Steering Committee.

The event also featured performances of The Foggy Dew and the Irish Anthem by Aoife Casey, music from Piper Kevin Conlon of Tulla, a rendition of The Last Post by buglers from Ennis Brass Band, and a recitation of the Proclamation by students of Kilkishen National School. Meanwhile, Eoin Troy of the Irish Defence Forces, accompanied by a Drummer from Ennis Brass Band, raised the Irish tricolour.

Cllr. Pat Hayes, Chairperson of the County Clare 1916 Steering Committee remarked, “Over time, moments of huge historical significance can fade in public memory which is why landmark years such as a 100th anniversary provide an ideal opportunity to reflect and remember. 1916 was the foundation stone of the Irish State and therefore, it is fitting that the people of Clare pause to remember and to consider how our country has evolved since then and the immediate revolutionary years that followed.”

Led by Clare County Council and under the guidance of the Clare 1916 co-ordinator and County Librarian, Helen Walsh, the County Clare 2016 Centenary Programme is the outcome of consultations with interested local groups, organisations and individuals, who were invited to participate in the planning and implementation of the local programme. The programme contains events and initiatives ranging across all seven strands of the national Ireland 2016 programme.

According to Ms. Walsh, “The unveiling of the Centurial Sphere is the 50th event in an 80-strong event programme being held in Clare during 2016. Like in other counties throughout the country, the Programme enables us to reflect on our achievements over the last 100 years and to look towards Ireland’s future.”

For a more detailed interview with the commissioned artist click here.

 

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