Athlone public meeting on 1916 commemorations

Westmeath County Council has launched a public consultation process on the 1916 centenary commemorations.

An open meeting for those interested in participating is taking place in Athlone’s Radisson Blu Hotel on Thursday of next week, April 23, at 7.30pm.

This will follow a similar meeting in the Annebrook Hotel, Mullingar, on Monday next at 7.30pm.

In a statement, the council said Ireland 2016 will be a year-long programme of activity, in which everyone is invited to participate, to commemorate the events of the 1916 Rising, to reflect on our achievements as a democratic state over the last 100 years, and to look towards Ireland’s future.  

The national programme, announced by the Government last month, includes seven strands: State Ceremonial; Historical Reflection; An Teanga Bheo / The Living Language; Youth and Imagination; Cultural Expression; Community Participation; Global and Diaspora.

The Community Participation strand is being led by local authorities across the country and Westmeath County Council has appointed a steering group which will be responsible for coordinating the local programme.
Whether you are a member of a local historical society, sports club, amateur drama club or community group, or even if this is something that is purely a personal interest, this is an opportunity to share ideas, pool resources and be part of the creation of a unique and distinctive local programme to mark Ireland 2016.

Cllr Paddy Hill, Cathaoirleach of the Council, and Chair of the Steering Group said Ireland 2016 would be “a year of reflection and engagement, for everyone on this island, that goes far beyond the formal marking of a key historical moment.”

Following a short presentation on the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, participants at the meetings in Athlone and Mullingar next we will be invited to partake in a facilitated session to share ideas, projects and initiatives of local interest.

Interested parties are being asked to register their interest in attending by emailing: Ireland2016@westmeathcoco.ie before this Friday, April 17.

Submissions or ideas in writing can also be sent to: Ireland2016 Coordinator, Westmeath County Council, Áras an Chontae, Mullingar.