News

IT Carlow host poignant & cultural ceremony to mark the country’s first ever Proclamation Day

15/03/2016

Poetry, Music, Art & Song Marks Proclamation Day At IT Carlow 

Along with other education institutions around the country, the staff and students of IT Carlow took time out to commemorate 1916, celebrate the present and imagine the future in what is the country’s biggest event to date in the 1916 commemorative programme.

Students and staff took part in an afternoon ceremony that featured poetry, music, art and original 1916 film footage. Proceedings opened with a solo performance by IT Carlow graduate Blaithín Butler of The Foggy Dew. Professor Paul Horan, an expert on 1916, spoke movingly about the Rising and put it in context. Brian Hand, visual artist and lecturer at IT Carlow Wexford Campus, gave an insider insight into Stormy Petrel/Guairdeall, his exhibition in collaboration with fellow artists and lecturers Alanna O’Kelly and Orla Ryan that was commissioned by the GPO as part of the national 1916 centenary commemorative. The exhibition examines the role of women couriers as ‘human telegraphs’ who memorised the Proclamation on their journeys out of Dublin on Easter Monday morning and will be on show in the GPO in April before moving to Visual later this year. It was followed by a screening of original 1916 footage, curated by art graduate Paula McCullagh, to music by a live five-piece chamber orchestra.

Special guests included Pearse O’Hanrahan and Harry O’Hanrahan, grand-nephews of Carlow’s Michael O’Hanrahan, who played an important role in 1916. Michael O’Hanrahan fought with Thomas McDonagh at Jacobs’ factory and was executed by the British at Kilmainham Gaol. They were joined by Carlow native Professor Paul Horan of Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Dr. Patricia Mulcahy, President of IT Carlow and senior management and lecturers.

Addressing the attendees, Vice President of Development & Research, Declan Doyle commented, “Today we are remembering and reflecting. We are privileged to have with us a direct connection to the Easter Rising as we are joined by two grand-nephews of one of the executed leaders Micheal O Hanracain. I would like, on behalf of the Institute, to welcome Pearse and Harry O Hanrahan and thank them for joining us on this historic day.  I’d also like to thank Professor Paul Horan who has guided and informed the development of our centenary programme. IT Carlow is acknowledging the commitment and sacrifice of those whose courage and idealism inspired a nation. Our ambition as a committee is that our IT Carlow community will discover more about 1916 and that period in our history, will participate in events and will learn how to gain access to newly available online historical and cultural material about 1916.

A lone piper from Killeshan Pipe Band then led a procession outside to the institute’s flagpole where the tricolor was raised and the Proclamation of the Irish Republic was recited by two students, Maria Byrne and Ciara Byrne who were dressed in period costume. This was followed by the singing of the national anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann. A fitting ceremony to mark one of the most important events in Irish history.

 

-ENDS-

For reference:
Alma Feeley, IT Carlow
m: 087 8204934
e: alma.feeley@setu.ie