Madam, - The debate sparked by the Taoiseach's announcement of the return of the 1916 Rising Parade has unfortunately descended into a vitriolic one about "ownership" of 1916, its divisive effects and whether it will encourage violence.
First and foremost, no institution or community "owns" 1916, not even the Irish people.Secondly, while it is true that the leaders of 1916 had no mandate from the people, it was their action and the reaction of the British authorities that precipitated a shift in popular support from those advocating Home Rule to those advocating independence. Therefore, admirable or not, it is part of our combined heritage and it is only right that we should mark it.
Those who believe that a 1916 celebration would be a celebration of violence should rather see it as an instigator of debate. As early as May 1916, when public outcry against the Rising was still aflame, the Redmondite John Dillon was able to see through the smoke to declare in the House of Commons that "it is the insurgents who have fought a clean fight, a brave fight, however misguided, and it would have been a damned good thing for you if your soldiers were able to put up as good a fight as did these men in Dublin".
A 1916 parade should be seen as unifying, not divisive. The President should oversee the affair with all political parties represented. That invitation should be extended to unionist parties as well. And the streets should be lined with all walks of life - Catholic, Protestant, nationalist, unionist and the new Irish; and the debate should be a positive and lively affair. - Yours, etc.,
ROBBIE ROULSTON, Ardmeen Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
Madam, - Cllr Damien Blake (October 27th) calls for a return to the real spirit of the 1916 Rising. He quotes from the Proclamation of the Republic, which guarantees "equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens", and declares a resolve to "pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and all of its parts, cherishing all the children of the nation equally. . ."
It is indeed apt that the Taoiseach seeks to remind us of these ideals. Under this Government we have seen the disparity in wealth in Ireland increase, despite unprecedented prosperity. Thousands of people are denied their right to proper healthcare due to its failure to channel the fruits of this prosperity into public services.
And as for cherishing all children of the nation equally, how hollow those words ring in the aftermath of this Government's cynical citizenship referendum, which has consigned the idealism of Pearse firmly to history. - Yours, etc,
CONN HOLOHAN, Gordon Street, Dublin 4.