It was more than fitting that the main event of Easter Sunday 2016 was to honour those who have served and protected the State over the often turbulent 100 years since the chaotic rising of 1916, the foundation event that was critical to the coming into being of our Republic.
Easter Monday 2016 was for “Reflecting the Rising” with many hundreds of events “to commemorate, to celebrate and to understand this significant moment in our collective history”; a day when citizens were the focal point.
Gatherings were scattered across Ireland and took many forms but confirmed one essential truth; a vibrant sense of cultural nationalism is core to Irishness – a comfort when oppression dominated; standing tall at times of celebration, and the facilitator of hope when re-imagining our future.
It was apposite that separate to these gatherings were synchronised wreath-laying ceremonies held in places associated with the Rising in Dublin at 1.15pm - when the first shots were fired – and at garrison locations in Ashbourne, Athenry, Cork City and Enniscorthy where events occurred in 1916 that proved to be momentous.
The combination of cultural and historical events, formal and informal, drew huge audiences. The Rising was recalled by way of readings, lectures, debates, theatre, film, dance, exhibitions, concerts and re-enactments – including events respectfully remembering all of those who lost their lives; those who took brave and fateful decisions and those who simply got caught up in the conflict.
And perhaps most significant of all were the spoken words which underlined our new-found ability to challenge views of history and yet accept there is more than one definition of Irish freedom.
As historian Diarmaid Ferriter remarked, there was "a need to do justice to the multiplicity of ideas about 1916 during this year's commemoration, instead of being exclusive". Yesterday, separate to festivities and fun, we did so.
President Michael D Higgins observed in a BBC interview at the weekend that a greater depth of knowledge meant the Easter Rising was now being put "in context of what was happening in Europe" 100 years ago. The contrast with the inevitably narrower focus of 1966 is marked.
A Government message at the Garden of Remembrance service on Saturday, referred to the years since the 50th anniversary: "We have experienced violence, grief and tragedy on our island. We have weathered economic storms which caused untold damage to our communities but we have survived each crisis and we have worked to build peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and continue to do so."
It was clear on this anniversary the approach to the Rising’s was one of inclusivity with the application of what the President cited as “ethical sensitivity”.
His words that everyone’s take on history must be open to critique, and that Britain, like Ireland, had to closely examine its past are empowering in looking to the future together: “When we decide to address the issue of violence, let us speak of the violence of empire, the violence of state, the violence of insurrection.”
Our public service broadcaster RTÉ, and indeed Ireland 2016 (directing the Government's programme to mark the centenary), deserve much credit for enabling the staging of such a magnificent range of events – the former is to be commended also for the scale and depth of its coverage of the centenary.
Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny noted on Good Friday, a state is nothing without her people. He added: “And the Irish people themselves are the strongest defenders of our democratic tradition. From the members of our media who speak truth to power . . . to any citizen seeking to bring about social change in our society. It is the Irish people who work to make this State a better place for future generations that makes Irish democracy great.”
Yesterday, was a day for Irish people and they gave voice to their Irishness and its place in our cherished past.