John Bruton
Question:8 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he has any proposals to have the Government represented at the annual commemoration in 1991, of Ivy Day, in honour of Charles Stewart Parnell.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Charles Stewart Parnell Commemoration.
John Bruton
Question:9 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the results of the contact by his Department with cultural institutions other than the National Library, who are already mounting an exhibition on the centenary of the death of Charles Stewart Parnell during 1991, to examine the possibility of other initiatives to mark this centenary in an appropriate manner.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.
The National Library is the major repository of documentary material relating to Parnell and the Irish Parliamentary Party. In addition to displaying a Parnell commemorative exhibition at the Library in October 1991, the Director of the National Library also envisages the circulation throughout the country of a touring exhibition on the theme of Parnell in his historical context. The National Gallery and the National Archives will assist the National Library to mount this exhibition by making available the relevant material which they have in their care. The preparation of an illustrated book or booklet incorporating facsimiles of items in the National Library is also under consideration.
It is expected that major refurbishment works at Avondale, the home of Parnell, will be completed before the end of February 1991. Those works are being initiated by Coillte Teoranta, the current occupiers of Avondale. Their completion will greatly enhance the ambience of the Parnell museum at Avondale. Staff of the National Museum of Ireland are assisting Coillte by way of professional advice including on the acquisition of items relating to Parnell and his era. In addition, the National Museum is providing some furnishings and exhibits on a temporary loan for display at Avondale.
My Department have kept in contact during the course of this year with the national cultural institutions and with Coillte to ensure that Parnell is commemorated next year in a fitting way.
The question of Government representation at the centenary commemoration of Parnell will also be considered in due course.
First, I would like to express my thanks to the Taoiseach for the work which has obviously been done on this matter since I raised the question of a commemoration in honour of Charles Stuart Parnell with him at Question Time in the House some months ago. May I ask him with regard to the exhibition — I have a certain local interest in this matter — if he will arrange to have the constituencies Charles Stuart Parnell represented at Westminster included in the itinerary for the proposed tour of the travelling exhibition in view of the enhanced interest there will be in this exhibition in such constituencies?
Certainly. I am sure the Deputy has already noticed that I have devoted my Christmas cards this year——
What was the message?
On my Christmas cards?
Remember committee room 15.
What was the message?
December 1890.
That next year is his centenary and to give the public — which is not very often seen — a drawing of and an outline of the history of Avondale, all of which are very relevant to the centenary next year.
It is a pity the public have not seen them.