Launch of 1916 Rising Centenary Committee (Scotland)

The Consulate General of Ireland in Edinburgh hosted the launch of the 1916 Rising Centenary Committee (Scotland) on 28 April 2015.

Guests represented a wide array of Irish community and local Scottish interests and organisations, including relatives of 1916 Rising participants, cultural, heritage, and sports organisations, academics, the arts, the trade union movement, the Scottish Government and Scottish politicians from different parties.

Evin Downey, development officer with Conradh na Gaeilge’s Glasgow branch, opened the evening as Gaeilge, noting the important role the Gaelic League played in this period of Irish history.

Professor Willy Maley of the University of Glasgow chaired the launch, outlining the aims and objectives of the Committee and announcing the group’s ambitious programme for the year ahead. This will include lectures, concerts, readings, exhibitions, a public debate and discussion, historical walking tours, pub quizzes, the production of two books, plays about Margaret Skinnider and Elizabeth O’Farrell, university based seminars and workshops, and a commemorative calendar.

Glasgow-based historian Stephen Coyle spoke about the Scottish contributions to the Rising, highlighting men and women who travelled to take part in Dublin, Galway, and Wexford, as well as transport of weapons and explosives from Scotland.

The journalist Ian Bell spoke about his great grand-uncle, James Connolly, and the difficulties involved in trying to get him recognised in his native Edinburgh. The musician Eddi Reader displayed and spoke about her collection of memorabilia from her grand-uncle, Seamus Reader, a key person in Scottish preparations for the Easter Rising, who was interned in several British gaols, and at Edinburgh Castle, for those actions.

Consul General Bourne outlined the Irish Government’s programme to support commemoration of the Rising at home and across the Diaspora, and praised the efforts of the Committee.

Keep up to date with the Committees plans and activities on the Committee’s Facebook page

Read more about the Irish Government’s 1916 Rising commemoration initiative, Ireland 2016.