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THE GOVERNMENT’S OFFICIAL launch of its 2016 programme had a tortured launch last week.
First, there was a row with some of the 1916 relatives.
Later, it emerged some of the language used on the official Ireland 2016 website had been derived via Google Translate.
And then, of course, there was the controversy over the launch video, which including cameos from the likes of the Queen and David Cameron, but made no mention whatsoever of the signatories of the Proclamation.
“Embarrassing unhistorical sh*,” was how Diarmaid Ferriter, the UCD historian and 2016 Government advisor described it.
While yesterday, the Taoiseach also came under attack on the issue in the Dáil from Gerry Adams.
In the midst of all that criticism, Arts Minister Heather Humphreys — who’s heading up the 2016 plan — had the official website quietly taken down at the weekend.
It wouldn’t be back up until all “outstanding issues” had been dealt with, a spokesperson for the Minister told us earlier this week.
Well, it’s back now… and it appears that at least some of the opprobrium expressed in recent days has been taken on board.
Not only is there no trace of the contentious footage within the revamped design of Ireland.ie.
The 90 second clip has also been wiped from host site Vimeo.
This is what you’ll see if happened to have bookmarked the link from the official site last week…
That link was also embedded into a number of TheJournal.ie articles — but this is what they look like now…
“The video was used as a backdrop the launch,” Humphreys told reporters at an event in Dublin this afternoon.
“There’ll be other videos and there’ll be other different productions that will go up on the website.”
On the controversy, the Minister added:
I think what’s important here is that the video actually got people engaged and got people talking — and that’s what I want about these commemorations, I want people to get engaged.
Luckily for anyone who really loved the clip — it’s still visible for all to see on Youtube, thanks to this forward-thinking uploader…
You’re welcome, internet.
First posted at 3.20pm
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The government get everything wrong. They don’t have a clue. They put the queen and Cameron in there before their own people. Says it all really. Disgraceful.
Ah I love the drivel you get here..
“The Government” eh..surely the video was made by some actual people and this “government” word you speak of that just evokes derision. I’d assume there was a small group of artsy types who came up with it yet from what you’re saying you’d think Kenny and co made it with their own hands.
And as for “our own”..i see lotsa Irish in that video.
The bigger issue is how it is supposed to represent the centenary of the rising. In that regard it fails but as a simple celebration of Ireland of the now, I think the video is good and positive.
What sort of ejits put them in power… Oh.. Oh yea.. Oops…
I have been involved with many government arts projects and what I’ve learned is the level of bureacracy ,lack of talent and creativity is staggering. They throw a ton of money at it ,hire their friends who have no experience in the given area and actually don’t involve the people who the event represents.
You’re right big crazy Al. I’m sure when Enda Kenny was drawing the story board for this video and the entire cabinet brought their sketches to the meeting of the entire cabinet that would definitely happen for a tourist promotion video, as all videos made in this country are scripted at cabinet level, Enda probably insisted the Queen and Cameron get some good time in there.
And the worst part is, The People Before Profit video was probably AMAZING and didn’t have any junior cert economic theory in it put forward as viable ideas of an adult!
The thing I will celebrate most in 2016 about Irish people is that your moronic comment got 347 green thumbs and a couple dozen red ones. When a country of idiots bankrupts its self, what do you expect.
Who do we hate more, the video or this government?
I had to laugh at this video. It has absolutely nothing to do with our history and basically showcases the multinational companies that suck the money out of the pockets of people and pay very little tax. Disgusting to think someone got paid well to do this tripe. Has the government just decided to waste money now or does austerity not apply anymore?
Awful Video for a 1916 commeoration but would be fine for sharing online to promote inward investment and tourism etc.
No point in hiding from history as so many do here.
How bloody embarrassing. How those eejits would love to whitewash history. Spineless !
Don’t know about everyone else but having Cameron and Windsor on the site was bang out of order. Absolutely disgraceful.
and the same will happen to FG / LAB soon
Yay! Let’s get FF back in…
Uh, no.
So let me get this straight.
There going to arselick the Queen and Cameron into coming?
Is that not like inviting Bin Laden family to the opening of The New World Trade centre?
Or am I missing something?
Generic ad, could have been for Guinness, Failte Ireland or Denny’s Ham………..
Agenda 21 – attempt to remove all people’s pride in their own nation. Is there anything our government do without the approval of the EU these days?
If only the Government who arranged it followed suit….
With the help of God Irish water will go the same way….
Now let’s get it right this time…
“The Gathering II” , how many of us know our Independence Day?
Not good at future predictions.
Understandable. There’d been a Rising tide of criticism about this video…
We have definitely lost our selfs along the way
I get the feeling no matter what this crowd(fg/lab) get involved with they haven’t a clue
where are all the advisors?
Wonder what that waste cost ? And the minister being happy as it got people talking and involved …. christ man get a grip …. If you pooh on the table you will defo get people talking and involved, why oh why do they just ad insult to injury every time.
Got to love this “I think what’s important here is that the video actually got people engaged and got people talking — and that’s what I want about these commemorations, I want people to get engaged”. They knew the video would work lol
oh Declan they are not that bright I am afraid
Would have rather seen an episode of ‘Reeling in the years’.
This is not what my first husband died for. Don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned it, but he actually fought in 1916 and the War of Independence and the Civil War. Then I was born(he was older), and then we got married and then he fell down the stairs and broke his neck while trying to put on a sock lmfao. God rest his soul.
RIP
Clumsy
The GAA got about a secone d and they did more to heal the cival war scars in every parish than any other group. We kicked our oppressors out of the country and then feature the queen and Cameron and that pr;ck Bellenda who is loyal to the EU…
If you didn’t know in advance what it was about…you wouldn’t guess.
You nailed it with the last line there. My employer did an ad years ago which was very flashy and expensive, but ultimately left no clue as to who they are or what they do. Was pulled very quickly when they realised. This turd of a video has the same problem
No wrong there. The GAA may have a new public face but back then it wasn’t really a welcoming place for your average Joe Protestant was it?
The video just showed how out of touch this govt are with everything from reality to history !
I remember the bicentenary commemorations in 1998 of 1798. The whole thing was more locally organised, but it resulted in 1798 history talks, tv programmes, even music CDs brought out with songs from the time and from 1898 (Who Fears To Speak of ’98), etc. In all it created a lot of awareness of the history of the 1798 Rebellion and aroused people’s pride and sense of Nationalism. I’m afraid this video and the ‘efforts’ so far for the 1916 centenary are no where near achieving any of that. If that’s the launch of what’s to come, I think the Govt are going to mess up a fabulous opportunity to breath new life into the history of 1916, and that lost opportunity will be very unfortunate.
What the hell was that video about. 1916 me arse!….It’s a plea for redemption, which is disgraceful.
Lets look at it as a cartoon i do, it’s so laughable although i really want to cry.
Bono, Geldof or The Englishas long as these people
As long as Bono,Geldof or the Queen of England are not included then I will be happy.
The Blue Shirt Franco Facist, bregade made a mess again – what’s new?
Just watched it there for the first time, and apart from it been a bit diddly eye, I can’t see anything wrong with it. Then again we’re an impossibly difficult race to please, never know what we want, plus we love been constantly tied to history and afraid to move on.
Idiot.
It’s about history.
There are a lot more tied to obsessively trying to hide from history here than are tied to it. Always has been.
We recognise PR spin speak, and Minister Humphreys, you are willing to put your name to this spin. It’s beginning to look like a persistent attribute that is doing you no favours. Sack the spinmeisters or just say nothing.
On the controversy, the Minister added:
“I think what’s important here is that the video actually got people engaged and got people talking — and that’s what I want about these commemorations, I want people to get engaged.”
I just watched it there for first time, god thats shocking alright. Clowns, Ted.
shite!
2016 404.
2016 – an era when the norm as an adult is to be numb to life and clinically depressed, for many reasons. Michael D Higgins fake upper-class accent just gives us something to vent our spleen at from our hopeless, joyless, cynical, mentally devastated state of mind.
It’s a nice video for the gathering but not 2016
Its missed the mark a bit alright, didnt think it was the the worst thing i’ve ever seen… no sure why so many are getting hysterical..
I’m sorry but what is so wrong about this video. Was it just like something to be aired during adverts or what. Don’t see what the controversy is or am I being ignorant?
Who cares about 2016 just a waste of 28 million. Give the 28 million to childlike
So 12 people think childline is not worthy of 28 million to help children, but 28 million is worth spending on the dead from 1916
If the aims of the 1916 people were achieved all the children of the nation would be treated fairly…..
How much was spent on this farce?
Good and it is the first positive thing done by Heather Humphries
Why would some people want this taken down ! It’s really good
What is the point of a 2016 celebration or whatever it is???
Was it not just a small bunch of fanatics. They were not representing the Irish people in what they did.
Help the homeless with 28 million – not this rubbish.
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