1916 parade critics turn blind eye to Irish role in Nelson flotilla
Strangely enough, not one of these contributors who were offended by the sight of Irish military personnel honouring the Easter Rising volunteers appeared to take no offence at the participation of Irish navy personnel alongside counterparts in the British navy in an event to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Admiral Nelson’s defeat of the French and Spanish fleets at Trafalgar.
Nor, it seems, were they much concerned when the our air corp, alongside the Royal Air Force, took part in the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in the early stages of World War II.
Indeed, no disapproval was voiced at the annual involvement of Irish army personnel, accompanied by the Minister for Defence, at remembrance day ceremonies honouring those who fell at the Battle of the Somme in July 1916, little more than two months after the Easter Rising.
Apparently, it is quite acceptable now for Irish military commemorations and parades to take place provided they are not honouring those who fought for the independence of this nation.
How ironic that the Rising against British rule in Ireland in 1916 - an event of global significance which influenced revolutionaries like Lenin in Russia, Gandhi in India and Mao in China - was snubbed by Dun Laoghaire and Rathdown council in 2006 when council members voted against displaying the 1916 Proclamation in their building.
Tom Cooper
23 Delaford Lawn
Knocklyon
Dublin 16
