Alan Kelly
Question:54. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will be attending the commemoration of the Soloheadbeag ambush in January 2019. [54138/18]
View answerWednesday, 16 January 2019
Questions (54)
Written answers
Plans to mark the centenary of the Soloheadbeg Ambush on 21st January 2019 are well advanced. Tipperary County Council is supporting a community-led commemoration on Sunday, 20th January, as part of a broader commemorative programme across the county to mark the centenary of the Independence Struggle. My Department is collaborating with Tipperary County Council to support these plans, in accordance with the most recent guidance of the Expert Advisory Group, which states that:
'Many of the events of this period have great local significance; it is therefore appropriate for local authorities and local community organisations to be encouraged to lead the commemorative process. Some events have been commemorated annually for decades and it would be inappropriate for the State to compete with these established ceremonies.
I can advise the Deputy that I will be representing the Government at this commemoration. I might add that I have approved a grant allocation of €10,000 to assist Tipperary County Council in supporting the local commemorative committee and wider community in developing their plans, in recognition of the significance of the Soloheadbeg Ambush as the generally accepted first action in the War of Independence. It is, I believe, very fitting that local authorities have a leading role in supporting inclusive, respectful and meaningful community-led commemorations such as this one which remember all of the lives lost, augmented as appropriate with support from the State, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Question No. 55 answered with Question No. 49.