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DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL has defended a 1916 banner at Dublin’s College Green that has provoked controversy.
The banner, which is draped on the Bank of Ireland building and former parliament, features four Irish constitutional politicians, none of whom were involved in the Rising.
The four men are Henry Grattan, Charles Stewart Parnell, Daniel O’Connell and John Redmond, the first three of whom all died during the 19th century.
As leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party at the time of the Rising, Redmond was opposed to the use of violence, although he did campaign for leniency for its leaders afterwards.
The decision to choose the four men instead of the Rising’s participants has provoked both confusion and outright anger.
Others weighed-in with the opinion that the men were all involved in Ireland’s path to independence and their inclusion makes sense as part of that context.
Dublin City Council told The Irish Times that the banner is one of several that is being erected and that others will feature signatories to the Proclamation.
The council denied that it was an example of “revisionism” and argued that to completely ignore the role of constitutional nationalists would be “unhistorical”.
But what do you think? Is it fair enough that these men should be remembered too or should the 1916 commemorations be about the Easter Rising alone?
Poll, Is the 1916 banner at College Green appropriate?
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The Russians use the argument, that the crimean population is largely ethnically russian and crimea was always russian. Much like the excuse the British use for occupying the North. If only Coveney was so blunt about the occupation of part of our country by a foreign country.
@Welk wrangler: ““I am glad also to be part of the international community which has convened to co-ordinate efforts to resolve the long-standing issue of the illegal annexation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol,” he said.”
A good bit late there Simon, Crimea was annexed 7 years ago, there is no resolving it now, it belongs to Russia, if you mean you are part of international community who is going to have a talking shop with junkets and expenses then yes, off you toddle.
@Welk wrangler: There is not foreign occupation of any part of our country. Northern Ireland not part of the Republic it is its own country. Only thing in common is the 2 countries share an island.
@Roy Dowling: Spoken like a true Fine Gaeler
@Roy Dowling: you’re totally wrong there. Ireland is Ireland and the six counties are occupied. It’s not British, it’s Irish soil, occupied by an Empire that is crumbling
@Michael Kehoe: Roy does not like to hear that . As West Brit as they come, our Roy
@Welk wrangler: I’m not sure that is factual. I maybe wrong but as far as I’m aware Crimea was part of Russia and was only given to Ukraine by President Nikita Khrushchev after the death of Stalin. Chances are most citizens are ethnic Russia.
@Michael Kehoe: does the good friday agreement state a recognition of two states
Excellent news!
Very misleading headline.
Surely it’s not Coveney that’s opening it.. its the Dept of Foreign Affairs that’s doing it and paying for it.
@Seoirse Ó Staighe: Incorrect- it is a political decision to open any embassy. The staff in the DoFA are civil servants and answer to the current minister.
Any chance he could forget about the PR stunts and answer a few questions here? FG have kept him out of the limelight for long enough.
@alan: Err- he is the minister for Foreign Affairs. The word ‘foreign’ is the clue there.
Why on earth are we opening an embassy in Ukraine?
Do we have significant trade, cultural or other links with this country? Greater than with many other countries?
If not then it’s just a snub to the Russians and to lick the boots of the US.
have your say