Proclamation of ’48

THE chairman of the Reform Movement, Robin Bury, makes a simple but effective case for a celebration of Ireland’s constitutional past (Irish Examiner letters, November 8).

To some, Easter 1916 is the ‘alpha and the omega’ of our search for national self-determination. But it has become such an emotionally charged moment (and moment it is) that it’s very celebration as THE defining event in our history evokes the very ghosts of bitterness and division which our recent history has carefully laid to rest.

After all, ‘the constitutional question is settled’. Of course, it was really settled in 1948.

So, let’s celebrate Ireland Day - the anniversary of the constitutional ‘Proclamation of 1948’ when we became a Republic.

And let it be a celebration (and a remembrance) of all our people, the living and the dead.

Richard Dowling

Patrick Street

Mountrath

Co Laois