The sun shone on Sinn Féin's Ard Fheis

Stephen Todd reflects on the 1916 centenary gathering in “The City that Fought the Empire”

AS THE SUN SHONE lowly on a delightful spring evening, the Convention Centre Dublin lit up – a glint in its eye as the rays permeated its glistening glass on the Liffey.

Elected reps, delegates, grassroots members and guests, both national and international, descended on the “The City that Fought the Empire” for the 2016 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis. It was idyllic in the sun.

The atmosphere was electric from the get-go. Passionate speeches rung out to the perked ears of those seated, Mary Lou McDonald and Martin McGuinness reminding them of the values innate within their struggle as republicans.

Eoin Ó Broin's “I Had a Dream” speech about Enda and Mícheál getting it together provided a chuckle.

A crisp Saturday dawn stirred the patrons, some bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (that's me), others who clearly weren't made for mornings (especially after the night before). They came in droves nonetheless.

The day consisted of powerful speeches, at times poetic but all centred around the historical year that's in it. Healthy debate was had and motions passed and fell.

It was inspiring to hear from all those who spoke with such conviction, particularly those newly-elected TDs who addressed the engaged crowd.

An immovable force of 23 strong now occupy Leinster House. This will be further reinforced by the election of a new resilient team of MLAs in the Assembly elections on 5 May.

As the sun set, and both the evening and events came to a close, the crowd was buoyed by an emotive and heart-warming finale under the direction of award-winning playwright and author Peter Sheridan.

A particular mention must go to Erica Fleming, the young mother and housing campaigner thrust into the public eye by the RTÉ TV documentary My Homeless Family. Her moving story brought a hushed silence to the hundreds gathered in the hall. She can only be commended for her bravery in her struggle for justice. A deserved standing ovation.

She was closely followed by freed Basque leader Arnaldo Otegi, with whom it was an honour to share a room and an absolute privilege to witness.

The curtain call came from Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, an inspiration to each and every republican. With his beard neatly trimmed and a smile as wide as the Liffey, he addressed an attentive audience.

A rallying cry rang out and filled the auditorium on his arrival to the podium. The speech that followed recalled the sacrifice of the leaders of 1916, the Republic proclaimed then, and the future that we envisage for this generation of Irish republicanism.

As the sky darkens we look out onto the horizon. We seek the vision seen by the leaders 100 years ago and also the Hunger Strikers of 1981. We seek an Ireland that cherishes all of its children equally. We seek the fulfilment of the Proclamation of 1916.