Patriotism alive at 1916 Rising ceremony

PATRIOTISM has taken many forms since the men of 1916 marched on the GPO to declare independence for the nation 93 years ago.

Then, the call went out to the people to be willing to sacrifice their lives. Now it’s their livelihoods.

The crowd who gathered on O’Connell Street in Dublin yesterday for the annual Easter Rising commemorations seemed to have more empathy with the men of history than ever.

Something in the words of Proclamation of the Republic, read anew by naval officer Lieutenant Erika Downing from Carrigaline, Co Cork, resonated more deeply this year.

Those words about reliance on inner strength, about “valour and discipline” and about “resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation” could have been part of last Tuesday’s speech in the Dáil by Finance Minister Brian Lenihan.

Head chaplain to the defence forces, Monsignor Eoin Thynne, seemed to sense the mood, leading the crowd in prayer that the hope and vision that inspired those remembered at the ceremony would help the country in its new challenging times.

Some 2,000 members of the public attended the 30-minute commemoration under welcome warm spring sunshine that has yet to fail the event since it was revived in spectacular fashion for the 90th anniversary in 2006.

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea assured that plans were underway for a ceremony to mark the centenary in seven years’ time.

He said the events of 1916 and the sacrifice of the men who struck the first blow for Ireland’s freedom were as relevant for today’s society as ever. “The relevance you can see by the turn-out today. People are keenly interested in it,” he said.

About 300 defence force members representing the three regional Army brigades, the Naval Service, Air Corps and Defence Forces Training College took part in the ceremony which was attended by head of the Defence Forces, chief of staff Lieutenant General Dermot Early.

President Mary McAleese command laid a wreath in honour of all who died in the cause of Irish liberty.

The ceremony ended with four Air Corps pilots performed a synchronised fly-by along the route of O’Connell Street.