Time to make Ireland a republic in reality as well as in name

Why is it necessary for the centrepiece of the 1916 celebrations to be such a military occasion? asks Fergus Finlay

SO, it was great, wasn’t it? Dignified, solemn, peaceful. A great atmosphere in the city. A day to be proud of, as we commemorated 1916 and all it means to us. The President laying wreaths in all the places that matter, the Taoiseach making dignified speeches, everyone inspecting guards of honour while looking appropriately solemn, the relatives of those who died in 1916 savouring their moment and their special memories. A day to relive the past, without undue questioning, and to do honour to those who sacrificed for Ireland.

Well, it was all that, I can’t deny it. But to be honest, I did find myself wondering as I watched, why is it necessary for the centrepiece of the 1916 celebrations to be such a military occasion? I know it’s impressive to watch smartly turned out soldiers marching in perfect step and doing all the things that soldiers do. But we’re not a military nation. It’s not what we do.