Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
13. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total expenditure of his Department to commemorate the 1913 Lock-out; the further plans he has to commemorate the event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38484/13]
View answerIn the development of the commemorative programme relating to the period 1912 to 1922, I place great importance on encouraging public participation and developing partnerships with national organisations, local authorities, military heritage and history societies, as well as civil society groups. I believe that every institution, region and group can make a distinct and valuable contribution in relation to this important period of our history. I continue to be impressed by the variety and quality of the proposals being formulated by all these interested parties.
The commemorative programme this year has placed particular emphasis on the centenary of the 1913 Lockout and I would like to acknowledge the achievements of the Lockout 1913 Committee in bringing forward a comprehensive programme that continues to be rolled out. 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 active groups at community and local level, the Lockout programme attests to the enduring interest in our national history and sets an example for what can be achieved in the coming years.
I was pleased to be present along with other Ministerial colleagues and public representatives at the Jim Larkin statue in O'Connell Street in Dublin on 31st August last for the National Commemoration of the Lockout, presided over by President Higgins, at what was a very community-oriented commemoration.
I was pleased also that my Department was able last year to provide financial assistance to enable work to commence on the Lockout Tapestry, which is being developed by a large group of volunteers under the supervision of the National College of Art and Design and artists Robert Ballagh and Cathy Henderson. Our partnership will continue with several panels from the Tapestry being exhibited at the National Ploughing Championships next week. The completed result of this tremendous collaborative effort will be displayed in the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, from 9 October next, when the Museum will also host an exhibition of banners of the labour movement. I am also pleased to note the special exhibition on the Lockout which has been arranged in conjunction with ICTU at the National Library of Ireland.
While official support to the Lockout programme has been largely provided through collaborative arrangements, the financial support to the tapestry project amounted to €30,000 and I will also arrange assistance with the costs arising from the recent re-enactment of Bloody Sunday.
With projects like the Tenement Museum and through the literature of Strumpet City , the Lockout 1913 Committee has illustrated for today's citizens the context and events of this troubled time. Their programme continues, keeping pace with the historic timeline, with the next event marking the support received in Dublin from British workers.
