Members of Cork County Council today gave a broad welcome to Cork County’s 1916 centenary programme of events.
Cork County Council’s plan for 2016 contains over 300 undertakings in over 70 locations, itemised in accordance with the National 2016 Strategy under seven strands: (1) Ceremonial, (2) Historical Reflection, (3) An Teanga Bheo, (4) Youth and Imagination, (5) Cultural Expression, (6) Community Participation and (7) Global Diaspora.
Cork County Council engaged extensively in preparing its Centenary Programme of Events for 2016. A number of workshops throughout the County were held and over 100 submissions have been received with proposals and recommendations for commemorations in 2016.
Close to twenty ceremonial events will take place, two of which will be State Ceremonial Events (in commemoration of Easter Monday March 28th 2016 and in commemoration of Thomas Kent on May 9th 2016). Over 100 historically related events will take place including re-enactments, lectures and oral history projects and the Irish language also features prominently with a range of events to reflect on and indeed promote our native language particularly with respect to the County’s two Gaeltachts; Múscraí and Oileán Cléire.
Over 40 Cultural events will take place with a range of performances proposed. Community organised events and projects – close to 90 in total – will be spread throughout the year. There will be at least 10 Diaspora related events to celebrate our shared heritage, some home based and some that will reach-out to the Cork Diaspora. There will also be projects overseas, organised with the County’s twinned towns, a particular delight for which we send thanks to our friends abroad.
Commenting on the enormous interest in the 1916 Commemorations the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea said that “the Council is committed to providing the best possible tribute to the heroes of 1916 during the centenary year”. He congratulated the Heritage Office of Cork County Council and in particular Heritage Officer and County 2016 coordinator Conor Nelligan on the tremendous work they have put in to the celebration. “I am honoured to be Mayor of this great county in 2016 when we will remember our heroic predecessors and will celebrate their bravery and unique Irish spirit”.
Cork County Council Heritage Officer and County 2016 Coordinator Conor Nelligan noted that “there is a huge appetite in the County for commemorating the 1916 Centenary, evidenced by the sheer number of people who have come up with some wonderful proposals for 2016”. The County Council has already established an all-party 1916 Centenary Commemorative Committee, chaired by Councillor Frank O’ Flynn, and this committee has been to the fore of discussions for Cork in 2016.
Cllr O’Flynn commented on the great interest shown by the Cork public with over 100 applications received with over 300 events in 70 locations across the county. “We have held 7 public consultations which were all very well attended, I compliment the communities throughout the who submitted some very exciting proposals. Cork County played a very important role in the rising and it is only right and fitting that we honour the men and women of 1916 who gave the supreme sacrifice in giving their lives for their country. Cork County Council will play its part with honour and dignity in celebrating the centenary. How fitting it is that in the week we honour a Cork patriot Thomas Kent the only patriot shot outside of Dublin. I am honoured as chair that this programme of events will go to the Minister and Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht for approval and funding”.
Cork County Council’s Programme of Events for 2016 will be launched, together with Plans from all other Local Authorities, by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny on October 8th 2015. A County Cork Launch is also scheduled to take place in the following weeks and full details of this will be made available shortly.
Inter-generational learning is another guiding principle of this plan with close to 30 projects proposed to engage the County’s youth in all things 1916. David Foley of Cork County Council’s 2016 Project Office notes that “as these young people are to be our future, it is important that they know and understand their country’s past history before they grow older”.
Given the strength of the Cork Plan for commemorations in 2016 and indeed Cork’s strong connection with the 1916 Rising, 2016 will very much be a year to look forward to in the County of Cork. For any queries on Cork County’s commemorations in 2016 please contact Conor Nelligan (conor.nelligan@corkcoco.ie or phone 021 4285905).
The 1916 All Party Committee with the Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea, Chief Executive of Cork County Council and Sean O’ Callaghan, Meetings Administrator, Cork County Council at the recent launch of the 1916 Centenary Grants Scheme
