a stunningly-ambitious act of imagination”.
Perhaps the Irish President, who I believe to be a decent person, might like to elaborate on this phrase? Some 200 citizens were killed, 40 children and 17 policemen. The leaders had no mandate, were a secret minority within a secret minority and despised democracy. Eoin MacNeill had countermanded the rebellion and Roger Casement called it off. Both were ignored. The people of Ireland were opposed and were aware that Home Rule was on the statute book, a stunning achievement by peaceful constitutional means at a time when there was a democratic avenue open with more than 80 Irish MPs in Westminster.
For the last century, a single minded narrative has dominated the Irish psyche, namely that in 1916 Ireland was an oppressed nation that needed to fight and kill for its freedom. Yet Home Rule was on the Statute books and Eoin MacNeill wrote at the time that the Irish people were not oppressed in 1916. It enjoyed all the important democratic freedoms.
The people of Ireland were almost all opposed to the Rising and were aware that Home Rule was on the statute book, a stunning achievement by peaceful constitutional means. One also has to remember that on the surrender the terrorists had to be protected by the RIC from the people of Dublin. The historian Liam Kennedy expressed the view that the correct moral reaction to 1916 is one of anger (See Unhappy the Land). Furthermore 1916 should be marked on the date it took place, 24 April and not 27 March, Easter Day. Already marking this event will see more violence and the PSNI has warned of yet more to come.
So why “a stunningly-ambitious act of imagination”? Using the Irish President’s criterion, I guess all terrorist acts including the 9/11 event in New York and the recent Paris massacres could also be conceived as “stunningly ambitious acts of the imagination” I think not. Comments like this are ill-conceived as it can give a dangerous, undemocratic message to our youth and the generations to follow.
Author Bro Tony McKee
1916 Rebellon A Stunningly Act Of Failure
