1916 Rising centenary commemorations will attract international interest, Minister says

International interest is expected in the commemoration ceremonies to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising, Minister for Heritage Jimmy Deenihan has said.

The centenary of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic “will be a most important anniversary”, he said.

Mr Deenihan pointed to the commitment of Nama of a “huge sum of money” for the restoration of the Moore Street national monument and the Department of Heritage has allocated €6 million in capital funding next year for 1916 projects, including the GPO inner courtyard interpretative facility, the military archives and Teach an Phiarsaigh (Pádraig Pearse’s house).

Mr Deenihan said the anniversaries of Home Rule and the Dublin Lockout and the ceremony to mark the foundation of the volunteers were all very respectfully carried out.

Sinn Féin heritage spokeswoman Sandra McLellan expressed concern about the completion of the Moore Street national monument on time for the centenary.

In July, Mr Deenihan blocked plans to demolish the houses on Moore Street associated with the Rising. Ms McLellan welcomed the plan for an interpretative centre and restoration of the houses but “time is moving on”, she said, calling for Mr Deenihan to use “whatever ministerial powers exist” to ensure the site was ready on time.

He said he was awaiting a proposal from the developer, and “I hope [it] will be submitted as soon as possible.”