President unveils art installation honoring 1916 rebels
Posted By: December 15, 2017
“All of the participants in 1916 had come to perceive and recoil from what was a constant theme in the assumptions of the imperialist mind: that those dominated in any colony such as Ireland were lesser in human terms, in language, culture, and politics.The historical evidence for this view was all around: in the circumstances of housing, hunger, emigration, exclusion, and language loss. The cultural freedom allowed was a freedom merely to imitate or ingratiate.” — President Higgins
The sculpture, Dearcan na nDaoine – The People’s Acorn, by artist Rachel Joynt, was placed in the grounds of the president’s official residence as part of Easter Rising commemorations.
President Michael D Higgins said: “What we sought was an appropriate and permanent tribute to the women and men whose effort and sacrifice contributed so much to Irish freedom and a symbol that would also serve as an inspiration towards realizing the promise of a true republic, which remains a challenge for us all.
“I hope that what we have achieved with this commemorative work is a fitting tribute to the memory and vision of the signatories of the Proclamation and all those who stood with them. It is, I think, both an accolade to our shared past and a beacon for a brighter future.”
Among those at the ceremony were some of the relatives of the signatories of the Proclamation and descendants of others who fought and died in the rising.
Others at the unveiling included 170 children from seven schools, who contributed their thoughts and wishes for Ireland’s future. Among them were P7 pupils from St Teresa’s Primary School in west Belfast.
Principal Terry Rodgers said St Teresa’s was one of seven schools included in the project and the only one from the north.
“For the children to see their names and writings inserted into a time capsule and sculpture in the grounds of the Aras an Uachtarain and to be able to bring their own children to visit the sculpture in years to come – what a wonderful experience,” he said.
The artwork is a giant bronze acorn which contains letters and poems while the shell is impressed with text and used pencils.
“All of the participants in 1916 had come to perceive and recoil from what was a constant theme in the assumptions of the imperialist mind: that those dominated in any colony such as Ireland were lesser in human terms, in language, culture, and politics.
“The historical evidence for this view was all around, in the circumstances of housing, hunger, emigration, exclusion, and language loss. The cultural freedom allowed was a freedom merely to imitate or ingratiate,” the president said.
Next year Mr. Higgins will install an artwork at Aras an Uachtarain commemorating the 1913 Lockout.
