Stephen Rae says Government's 1916 plans are 'shapeless', calls for public holiday

Plans to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 rising have been criticised as "shapeless" for having no public holiday or central day to mark the occasion.

The Government has announced a wide-ranging series of events with seven different programme areas including historical, cultural and community listings.

The group Reclaim the Vision of 1916 has presented its patron, actor Stephen Rae, with a limited edition print of James Connolly by the artist Jim Fitzpatrick.

The group is planning to hold its own commemoration on April 24 next year, including a parade, to mark the occasion in an independent and non-political way.

Stephen Rae (pictured) said he felt the State's plans were "shapeless".

"There ought to be a public day of celebration..Of course there should. I can’t imagine any other country who achieved independence in such circumstances not acknowledging it," he said.