1916 Easter Rising to be celebrated in European Parliament

A TWO-DAY CELEBRATION of Ireland's 1916 Easter Rising will take place in the European Parliament in Brussels next week.

There will be a series of events including historical and political hearings, a concert of Irish music, dramatic re-enactments and a presentation of a copy of the 1916 Proclamation of Independence.

● Sinn Féin MEPs Lynn Boylan, Liadh Ní Riada, Martina Anderson and Matt Carthy

Sinn Féin MEPs, Martina Anderson, Lynn Boylan, Matt Carthy and Liadh Ní Riada will host the events and will bring a delegation of over 100 people from Ireland, including relatives of 1916 leaders, musicians, artists and historians.

The celebratory events will take place on Tuesday 22 March and Wednesday 23 March.

Midlands North West MEP Matt Carthy said:

“As Sinn Féin MEPs, we are excited about the prospect of bringing the 100th anniversary celebrations of the 1916 Easter Rising to the European Parliament.

“The Proclamation, being as relevant today as it was 100 years ago, referred to 'our gallant allies in Europe'. This commemoration will not only celebrate the centenary it will also celebrate the role of the friends of Irish freedom right across Europe during and since the Rising.

“We are looking forward to welcoming a large delegation from across Ireland to join us for the events. Our guests will come from a range of backgrounds and all age groups.”

The MEPs will host a series of events including a hearing on Our Gallant Allies in Europe, which will be addressed by Gabi Zimmer MEP (President of the GUE/NGL Parliamentary Group – pictured) and a hearing on women's role in the Rising, during which they will hear from Liz Gillis, author of Women of the Irish Revolution.

Dublin-based drama group RADE (Recovery through Arts, Drama and Education) will provide a re-enactment of the events of Easter 1916.

● Gerry Adams and James Connolly Heron in Moore Street, Dublin

Matt Carthy added:

“We are fortunate to have the great-grandson of James Connolly, James Connolly Heron, on the delegation who will officially present a copy of the Proclamation of Independence to the European Parliament.

“The highlight of the celebration will undoubtedly be a music concert which will take place in the heart of Parliament on Tuesday evening.

“The signatories, the Volunteers and the events of 1916 will be forever remembered in Ireland but this remembrance should go further; by bringing the celebration to the European Parliament, we are hoping to do just that.

“We will be celebrating and commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the 1916 Rising in Brussels the same way as we will in Ireland – with enormous pride.”