Comóradh 2014 ISSUE 2 JULY A Newsletter for the Irish Abroad in the Decade of Commemorations

“In marking these centenaries, we remember that the events of the decade 1912-1922 affected all the people of these islands…”

Dear Friend, 1914 saw many important events taking Digital archive projects such as this are, In this issue... place both on the island of Ireland and of course, of particular interest to the overseas which had a profound impact Irish Diaspora, with today’s technology GPO Interpretive Centre to be on the course of Irish history. allowing all to explore Irish history launched for Centenary of wherever we may be. In marking these centenaries, we , 1916 2 remember that the events of the A programme of events decade 1912-1922 affected all commemorated the seminal founding Centenary of the founding the people of these islands, and of Cumann na mBan in April 1914, of Cumann na mBan 2 shaped the relations between Britain which formalised the role of women and Ireland for the century which in the Independence movement. Launch of Ireland’s followed. The extent of Ireland’s The passing, and later suspension, Memorial Records 2 connection with Britain during the of the Home Rule Bill reveals the First World War was made all the ongoing struggle throughout 1914 Launch of Military Service more clear when I launched the for an answer from the Westminster Pension Collection, GPO 3 digitisation of Ireland’s memorial Parliament to the ‘Irish Question’, and record for the First World War at events to mark its centenary will take Laying of foundation stone Google’s European Headquarters, place in London this summer. for Cross of Sacrifice, together with ’s First Glasnevin Cemetery 3 Minister Peter Robinson and deputy The outbreak of the First World First Minister Martin McGuinness. War, and John Redmond’s famous Reconciliation Fund: Clondara Woodenbridge address, set the scene Research Project 4 This year holds significance to the Irish for Ireland’s participation in the War at home and abroad, with many having in the years that followed, with the Iveagh House Commemorative relatives who took part in the First Christmas Truce in December of 1914 Lecture Series: John Lewis Lecture 4 World War or in the events leading to affording us a glimpse into the human Irish independence. Commemorations dimension of soldiers’ experience State Visit 4 of the past are intended to engage the along the Western Front on the first global Irish family, and this newsletter Christmas of the First World War. highlights just some of the events that are taking place in 2014. Embassies I hope that you will join in the and Consulates can provide additional exploration of our rich history that information on local events. these centenaries recall, and take part in the many events to mark them. Earlier this year, the launched the Military Service Pensions Collection, providing us with a fascinating window into the lives of those who took part in the 1916 Rising. Eamon Gilmore T.D. Tánaiste Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

1 foundation took place. A ceremony at Glasnevin Cemetery took place on April GPO interpretive centre to 2 2014, where President Higgins laid a be launched for centenary wreath in tribute to Cumann na mBan at of Easter Rising, 1916 the Sigerson Memorial, which honours the dead of 1916. In March 2014, it was announced that An Post had been granted In his address at Glasnevin Cemetery, planning permission by City President Higgins said that the women of Council for the development of Cumann na mBan “rose up to vindicate ‘GPO: Witness History’; an extended the unfulfilled hopes and aspirations for liberty of previous generations”. exhibition and interpretive centre at Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore TD, Deputy the GPO on Dublin’s O’Connell Street. President Higgins was joined by Minister First Minister Martin McGuinness, First Minister Peter Robinson, and John A key landmark building in Dublin, the for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Proclamation of the Irish Republic was Herlihy, Head of Google Ireland, at who, in an earlier Google’s European Headquarters in read by Patrick Pearse outside the ceremony, had laid a wreath in honour Dublin during the launch of Ireland’s building in 1916, signalling the start of of nurse Elizabeth O’Farrell, the last memorial records. the Rising. The building is a protected woman standing in the GPO who carried structure owing to its historical, social the white flag of surrender to British archive of Ireland’s First World War and architectural importance. The forces, risking her own life to do so. new centre will house a permanent records. The new archive, ‘Ireland’s exhibition marking the centenary of Relatives of Cumann na mBan members Memorial Records’, lists 49,000 the 1916 Easter Rising, focusing on the were amongst the crowd who attended soldiers from the island of Ireland theme of the GPO as two separate ceremonies to honour who died during the First World War a witness to history. the women at the cemetery. A guard in Flanders and is available online at of honour of women personnel from imr.inflandersfields.be Speaking at the GPO, Minister the Defence Forces also took centre Google, the In Flanders Fields Museum Deenihan said: stage in the formal ceremony. A stamp in Belgium, genealogical company featuring Cumann na mBan members “When delivered, this interpretative Eneclann, the Embassy of Ireland driving at the head of the funeral centre at the GPO will be a major part in Brussels, and the Department of of citizens shot during the Howth of our centenary commemoration of Foreign Affairs and Trade worked arms landing was issued by An Post the Easter Rising of 1916. This year, together to bring the project to to commemorate the founding of the Government has allocated fruition. Relatives of those who died in the organisation. €6 million in funding to support a the war were present to see the archive number of important commemorative After the Presidential commemoration launched. The records were originally projects including this one.” ceremony took place, a Memorial published in 1923 by the Committee of the Irish National War Memorial, Construction is expected to commence Lecture in honour of the foundation in an eight-volume set illustrated by over the summer months, to be fully of Cumann na mBan was delivered by Harry Clarke. The records have been completed and ready for opening to Dr. Mary McAuliffe, President of the corrected, updated and made freely the public at Easter 2016. Women’s History Association of Ireland (WHAI) at the Glasnevin Museum. available online as part of the project. They now serve as a genealogical resource available to all who wish to Centenary of the founding Launch of Ireland’s explore their own family ties to the war, facilitating the remembrance of of Cumann na mBan Memorial Records these individuals, and helping to build understanding of Irish involvement. Cumann na mBan, the women’s On 10 January 2014, Tánaiste and nationalist organisation which worked Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, First Minister Robinson remarked “As in conjunction with the Irish Volunteers, Eamon Gilmore T.D., together with we enter an important decade of was formed in Dublin in April 1914. Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Peter commemorations in both our countries, This year, a series of commemorative Robinson and deputy First Minister, it is my hope that what has been events to mark the centenary of its Martin McGuinness launched an online established here today will keep alive the history and the stories of those who did not return from war.” Deputy First Minister McGuinness observed that “over 200,000 Irishmen fought in the war and over 49,000 were killed, which shows the human impact of the war on the island of Ireland. It is important all their personal stories are told and this innovative project ensures the memory of those Irish soldiers killed will continue.”

John Green, Chairman of Glasnevin Trust, Dr. Mary McAuliffe, and Minister for Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan TD at the graveside of Cumann na mBan member, Elizabeth O’Farrell.

2 The Tánaiste said: Minister Deenihan, welcoming the “this project … is playing a launching of this project, remarked “The First World War was seen for significant part in helping to many years as a divisive part of “I would emphasise the opportunity reconcile the social wounds our troubled legacy. And because this resource presents for members that emerged almost a century of this, there was a tendency to of the public to access the records ago when the different forms avoid any interrogation of Irish of their families, community of personal sacrifice of Ireland’s involvement. However, we have and districts to enhance their youth both in the Great War and learnt that contending with the past, understanding of the historic times the Easter Rising were harshly as we have done over a number and achievements of a remarkable compared to each other.” years in relation to Ireland’s role generation…. Although invaluable and contribution, has brought with for research and contributing to the academic assessment of our it great opportunities to recognise Reconciliation Fund: in our reflections on the war our history, these records are a direct common humanity, our common communication across the gap of Clondara Research Project cause, and our common heritage.” a century to this generation”. During the decade of commemorations, the Reconciliation Fund administered The archive can be viewed online by the Department of Foreign Launch of Military Service at www.militaryarchives.ie Affairs and Trade is supporting a Pension Collection, GPO number of commemorative projects as part of the regular funding of On 16 January 2014 the Taoiseach, Laying of foundation community and voluntary groups. , T.D., launched the first stone for Cross of Sacrifice, Commemorative projects supported by release online of material from the the Reconciliation Fund explore issues Military Service (1916-1923) Pensions Glasnevin Cemetery around identity and understanding Collection at the GPO, O’Connell and respect for other traditions. In On 31 March 2014, Glasnevin Street, Dublin. This launch was part many cases, projects explore the ways Cemetery hosted a ceremony to mark of the National Commemorative in which drawing upon overlapping the laying of the foundation stone Programme, with then Minister for historical experiences can have an for a Commonwealth War Graves Defence, and Minister impact on contemporary political and Commission Cross of Sacrifice. The for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, community relations. Cross of Sacrifice consists of a cross Jimmy Deenihan in attendance. embedded with a bronze sword, Case study: The Reconciliation Fund The Collection of the Military Service mounted on an octagonal base, and is currently supporting Clondara Pensions Archive numbers almost is erected in cemeteries containing Historical & Cultural Group’s 6th 300,000 application files for pensions, more than 40 graves of soldiers Connaught Rangers Research Project allowances and medals as well as commemorated by the Common- on “The Legacy of Nationalists supporting documentation. This first wealth War Graves Commission. and the Great War”. This Belfast online release of material from the based project recalls the history of The foundation stone for the Cross of Military Service (1916-1923) Pensions Irish nationalists in the First World Sacrifice was laid by Minister Deenihan Collection was primarily focused on the War. Many of the Group’s members and Ms Theresa Villiers MP, Secretary participants of the 1916 Rising. Future had relatives who enlisted at the of State for Northern Ireland. Also releases of material from the Military outbreak of the First World War into in attendance were the Chairman of Service Pensions Collection will take the Connaught Rangers Regiment and, Glasnevin Trust, Mr John Green; the place over the coming years. along with hundreds of others from the British Ambassador to Ireland, His Falls Road area of Belfast, fought in the Excellency Dominick Chilcott; and The pension files were created First World War. following a decision of the Houses Ms Deirdre Mills, Director of UK of the in June 1923 to Operations, Commonwealth War Many of these men were members of compensate wounded members Graves Commission. The ceremony was the Irish Volunteers and supporters of of the IRA, National Army, Irish marked by the attendance of a colour the Irish Parliamentary Party who were Volunteers, Irish Citizen Army, and party from the Defence Forces. campaigning for Home Rule in Ireland. other organisations, along with the The Falls Road, like the rest of Ireland The laying of the Foundation Stone dependents of deceased members of at the time, was in a state of ferment is a cooperative venture between the these organisations. The original 1924 and expectation. Glasnevin Trust and the Commonwealth act was augmented by its successor in War Graves Commission to ensure 1934, which expanded the definition Over the years the time and those who lost their lives in the two of active service to include Cumann na commitment given by the volunteers of world wars are ‘forever remembered’. mBan, and members of the anti-Treaty the 6th Connaught Rangers Research The Cross of Sacrifice will be formally IRA in the Civil War. There were 82,000 Group has proved invaluable in unveiled to coincide with the centenary applications under the 1924 and 1934 uncovering photographs, memorabilia, of the outbreak of hostilities of the First acts, only 15,700 of which documents, newspaper articles and World War on 31 July 2014. were successful. family stories which tell the narrative of a community in turmoil. They also Addressing the gathering, John Green, contribute today to an examination Chairman of the Glasnevin Trust, of common and overlapping histories said that in a divided society. Their book, ‘The 6th Connaught Rangers, Belfast 3 Nationalists and the Great War’ has Congressman John Lewis was one of the First World War in 2014 and the proved very popular resulting in the leading figures in the US civil rights Easter Rising in Dublin in 2016, stating contact from Newry to New Zealand movement and his address drew on and Lisburn to London. the unique relationship between Daniel “As both our islands enter periods O’Connell and Frederick Douglass and of important centenaries we can The 6th Connaught Rangers Research their common cause of abolitionism. and must reflect on the ethical Group is committed to uncovering importance of respecting different and telling the stories of as many as He recalled the movement’s global but deeply interwoven narratives. possible of these Belfast soldiers. In legacy, the inspiration taken by activists Such reflection will offer us an the coming year, the 6th Connaught in Northern Ireland from the US civil Rangers Research Group will hold rights movement and the principles opportunity to craft a bright future numerous presentations throughout of non-violence and reconciliation on the extensive common ground Ireland and are in preparation for which underpinned it. Mr Lewis, who we share and where we differ in exhibitions to be held in Collins is now a congressman representing matters of interpretation to have Barracks in Dublin on 28 June 2014, Georgia, recalled Daniel O’Connell’s respectful empathy for each during Féile an Phobail in Belfast commitment to non-violence, and other’s perspectives.” in August 2014, and at City Hall in the impression this left on Frederick November 2014. Douglass: In Windsor Castle on 9 April, the President, accompanied by the Duke “It was also Daniel O’Connell who of York, Prince Andrew, and the Duke convinced Douglass that non-violence of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, viewed the Iveagh House was the most excellent way to meet Colours of the five Irish regiments of their common enemy. The longer I live Commemorative Lecture the British army that were disbanded the more I have come to believe that following the establishment of the Irish Series: John Lewis Lecture non-violence is one of those immutable Free State in 1922. Congressman John Lewis delivered the principles that should never be violated. inaugural Frederick Douglass/Daniel It is the natural companion of the O’Connell memorial lecture as part highest values of love, peace and of the Iveagh House commemorative compassion.” lecture series on 23 April 2014. He was He also spoke of the influence of welcomed by Tánaiste and Minister Gandhi on the life and thinking of for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Martin Luther King junior, the great Gilmore, T.D., who introduced him civil rights leader, and in turn King’s as an “iconic figure who belongs in influence on him, saying that “The work the pantheon of great leaders in the of King changed my life, and that is American civil rights movement”. why I am standing here today.”

As part of a visit with the Faith and In a question and answer session Mrs. Sabina Higgins, President Michael D Politics Institute, Congressman Lewis with the audience, the Congressman Higgins, Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince was in Dublin to share his experiences Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in advance of discussed his current work on the State Banquet during the President’s of the US civil rights movement reconciliation and ongoing and politics, and to learn from the State Visit to the United Kingdom. 2 commitment to civil rights issues experiences of those involved in such as voter registration. Audience reconciliation in Ireland. He was joined members explored parallels with the by Governor Martin O’Malley of Northern Ireland civil rights movement. Updates on forthcoming Maryland and US Senator Mazie Hirono The evening concluded with a commemorative initiatives and of Hawai’i. Members of the Faith and presentation to the Congressman of future issues of this newsletter Politics Institute joined the great great a statuette of Frederick Douglass by will be posted on the website of granddaughters of Daniel O’Connell Nettie Washington Douglass. your local Embassy or Consulate, and Frederick Douglas, Ann Quinlan and on the website of the and Nettie Washington Douglass, and State Visit civil rights activists past and present Department of Foreign Affairs for the commemorative lecture and President Higgins’ State Visit to the and Trade. discussion, moderated by broadcaster United Kingdom in April 2014 was John Bowman. an historic moment for British-Irish Useful links: relations. Throughout the State Visit, Anglo-Irish Division the importance of the current decade Department of Foreign Affairs of centenaries to both countries was and Trade reflected through individual events, 80 St. Stephens Green demonstrating a commitment to Dublin 2 inclusive commemorations. www.dfa.ie In his address to the British parliament, Commemorations Unit, the first address by a president of Department of Arts, Heritage Ireland, President Higgins paid and the Gaeltacht tribute to Tom Kettle and other Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore TD and Kildare Street Irish nationalists who died in British Congressman John Lewis in Iveagh House Dublin 2 uniforms. President Higgins reflected in advance of the Frederick Douglass / www.decadeofcentenaries.com Daniel O’Connell memorial lecture. on the centenaries of the outbreak of

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