We must find a way to recognise exceptional achievements of our citizens and members of our diaspora, writes Michael Merrigan.
In the run-up to a decade of various centenaries, many of which will challenge our notions of nationhood, inclusivity and good neighbourliness, a popular reclamation of the essence of true republicanism is very slowly taking place. Not the republicanism "branded" and suitably "packaged" by certain political parties, but the republicanism of the citizen freed by an island at peace to fundamentally question ourselves and our engagement with our republic.
Our economic success and the welcome inward migration of other nationalities have created an Ireland outward looking, confident and progressive and yet, for many citizens, it is a detached and seemingly uncaring land. Our values and personal goals are increasingly expressed in materialism so all-consuming that it has virtually destroyed the once vibrant volunteerism in Ireland. For communities, clubs and charities throughout Ireland, many of which serve the less fortunate, vulnerable and disadvantaged, the Celtic Tiger has swallowed meagre funds and volunteers alike. These voluntary and community organisations are adopting emergency plans, streamlining operations and falling back on the dedicated and, in many cases, ageing individuals who sustain many operations as volunteers.
As citizens seeking to engage with our republic we must first examine and define the Ireland we want for our children and for ourselves, but to do so we need to fully appreciate the potential within us all. Normally we look to our champions, leaders, best achievers and most successful to demonstrate the possibilities. In all walks of life we recognise excellence, service and achievement; unfortunately this has all too readily been synonymous with wealth, glamour and power. This has fuelled cynicism as to motive and a begrudging satisfaction when those who were once worshipped fall from grace.
Strangely, in looking for icons, we consider many whose achievements were either outside this republic or international. Sportspersons, movie stars, writers and filmmakers, and our champions of global humanitarian issues, all rank high in our esteem. Some have been formally recognised through competition, such as sports tournaments and the Oscars, others are Nobel laureates and some are recipients of orders and honorary knighthoods bestowed by others. Our republic, it seems, relies on the external recognition and thus confirmation of our social or sporting icons. While not diminishing their recognition internationally or locally, is this the way a confident republic should recognise its citizens of note?
Many Irish universities, through the awarding of honorary doctorates to Irish citizens and members of the Irish diaspora, have unwittingly demonstrated the failure of our republic in this regard. Besides awarding honorary Irish citizenship, as in the case of former Republic of Ireland soccer manager Jack Charlton, the State has no legislative facility to recognise or honour achievements by its citizens or diaspora. The presence in Dublin recently of the duke of Edinburgh was a marvellous occasion, but the President's Gaisce Awards are designed only to encourage and reward our young citizens - what about the not so young volunteers in our communities?
The initiative launched by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to encourage active citizenship and the engagement of the ordinary citizen in a great national "conversation" on our republic is very positive. But central to the engagement of the ordinary citizen must be recognition of the exceptional achievements of the few. Ireland needs a way of acknowledging individuals who have achieved our respect and gratitude; leaving it to foreign governments and monarchs is simply a national scandal.
But currently no legislation exists to facilitate such national recognition of meritorious citizens by the State and, therefore, the idea of "emeritus arms" is one element included in the Genealogy & Heraldry Bill, 2006, initiated in Seanad Éireann by Senator Brendan Ryan earlier this month. This involves the State granting coats of arms in lieu of an honours system. This would be more appropriate than conferring honorary degrees or granting the freedom of the city, town or borough. Heraldry is capable of graphically depicting whatever achievement is being recognised. Each meritorious individual would receive a unique grant of arms from the Chief Herald of Ireland beautifully presented on vellum. It could recognise place of origin, field or sector of achievement and, more importantly, the personality of the grantee.
Some may view heraldry as somewhat alien to the modern world or, possibly, inappropriate in a republic. However, heraldry is part of our heritage and is much in use throughout our daily lives, from the arms of the State to county councils, sports clubs, colleges and many State agencies. Irish people have a great attachment to heraldic symbolism, as seen through the use of family crests and county or provincial crests by the GAA and other sports bodies.
The Bill introduced by Senator Ryan is intended to provide Ireland with a modern heraldic authority with a sound legislative basis for the delivery of heraldic and vexillological services to individuals, corporate bodies and institutions. Engagement with our republic means properly recognising our volunteers, and thereby assessing our own contribution as individual citizens.
Michael Merrigan, FGSI, is secretary of the Genealogical Society of Ireland and the researcher and author of the Genealogy & Heraldry Bill, 2006. Further information can be found at www.familyhistory.ie