Martin Ferris
Question:23. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to commemorate the 1913 Lockout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4505/13]
View answerWednesday, 30 January 2013
Questions (23, 39)
Jonathan O'Brien
Question:39. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has made a decision regarding a grant application to restore the former Richmond Barracks gymnasium as a local museum and centre for focus on commemorations in 1916; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4499/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 39 together.
In the development of the commemorative programme, I have been in dialogue with national organisations, military heritage and history societies, local authorities and community groups about their interests and possible contributions in the coming years. I was impressed by the proposals brought forward by the community group at St Michael's Estate in relation to the surviving buildings from Richmond Barracks. In the aftermath of the Easter Rising, these buildings were used for the detention of prisoners and the trials of the leaders. I invited the group to meet with the All-Party Group on Commemorations, which was satisfied to commend the project for any available support. The centenary commemorative programme does not contain any capital allocation to assist projects and consequently a decision on an application for a grant does not arise at this time. However, enquiries are being made with the local authority and other agencies to explore how the heritage at Richmond Barracks can be prepared to be presented in the commemorations of the Rising.
The 1913 Lockout will be the subject of a programme of major events, supported by the State and working with partners including Dublin City Council, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the national cultural institutions, universities and VECs and many others. Details of the programme events are yet to be finalised and will be the subject of announcements as they arise. The official events will include a formal acknowledgement of the anniversary of the Lockout in August, the issue of special commemorative issue stamps by An Post and special exhibitions by the national cultural institutions. I welcome the very significant programme of commemorative events being arranged by the trade union movement and I was pleased that it was possible to provide official support for the tapestry project launched by the President in December last. I will continue to work closely with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on the Lockout programme.