A chara, – Moving 1916 commemorations to Oifig an Taoisigh as suggested by Seoirse Plunkett (May 22nd) could broaden the emphasis from what Cal Hyland (May 22nd) calls the “destructive phase”, which culminated in the scar of partition. The military decade 1912-23 overshadows the founding in the three previous decades – of the GAA in 1884, Conradh na Gaeilge in 1893 and the Abbey Theatre in 1904, cultural organisations which carried the movement to independence and, along with other all-Ireland organisations still give meaning to the idea of it, even for people who take no part in them. All three have been headed at different times by Protestants – Boothman, Hyde and Yeats.
Mr Hyland also mentions that “any commemoration of 1916 is hypocritical as long as we remain in thrall to Brussels”.
Have we come so far from Tone’s idea of uniting all Irishmen, meaning living on this island, that the question of what comes between us and independence, is Brussels now and not the minority still “in thrall to” Britain? – Is mise,
ÉILIS Ní ANLUAIN,
An Pháirc Thiar,
Bré, Co Chill Mhantain.