Three-part ceremonial event to take place in the Mansion House to commemorate centenary of the First Dáil

The aim of the event is to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who founded the first Dáil, to appreciate the fact that the people of Ireland live in a democracy and to commit to maintaining the structures and values of democracy in Ireland for the next 100 years.

Amongst those in attendance at the event will be President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, accompanied by Mrs Sabina Higgins (President and Mrs Higgins will be present for Parts 1 and 2 only); members of the Houses of the Oireachtas; descendants of those elected to the first Dáil; Speakers and Deputy Speakers of EU and other national parliaments; members of the judiciary; members of the diplomatic corps and distinguished visitors.

President Michael D. Higgins will deliver a keynote address to mark the centenary of the first sitting of Dáil Éireann - one of the main events commemorated during the Decade of Centenaries.  Throughout his first term in office, President Higgins has led the commemorations of many significant events over the 1912-1916 periods, and in addressing the Dáil100 event, the President will encourage the people of Ireland to celebrate the centenary of our democracy and to reflect on our collective past, our successes and our failures.

The Ceann Comhairle, Sean O’Fearghaíl TD, said, “The first public meeting of Dáil Éireann was a seminal moment in Irish history and was intended to show the world that Ireland was moving from the military revolution of 1916 to a parliamentary revolution. The sitting was staged with a view to conveying Irish self-determination to the world, as well as to enshrine the ideals of the Declaration of Independence in Dáil Éireann, ideals of which we can still be proud. Over the course of the coming year, the Houses of the Oireachtas will commemorate the 100th anniversary of political discourse, debate and law-making in Dáil Éireann.”

“The ceremonial commemoration which will take place in the Mansion House will be a reflection on 100 years of unbroken democracy. The event will open with an address by President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins. We are especially honoured to be joined by President Higgins as we mark this special occasion. We are also delighted to welcome families of 16 members of the first Dáil. Professor Cathal McSwiney Brugha, grandson of the first Ceann Comhairle, Cathal Brugha TD, will read a reflection illustrating the views of a descendant.”

“This commemoration is our chance to honour the memory of the men and women who fought for Irish freedom and who put in place the very foundation of our parliamentary democracy. Since 1919, Dáil Éireann has striven to serve all of the people of Ireland. This centenary allows us, as citizens, to reflect on the legacy of Irish parliamentary democracy.”

The event will be broadcast live on Oireachtas TV from 3.30pm -5.30pm and will be comprised of three parts:

Part 1: Address by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.

The event will open with introductory remarks by the Ceann Comhairle and the playing of a video insert, produced by Oireachtas TV, entitled ‘100 Years of Dáil Éireann’.
The video insert shows key moments from the past 100 years of Irish democracy. Content includes footage of the 1918 election; key figures from the First Dáil; Ireland joining the EEC; the election of Mary Robinson as President of Ireland; the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and international figures including President John F. Kennedy, Nelson Mandela and Tony Blair addressing the Houses of the Oireachtas.
President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, will be formally welcomed by the Ceann Comhairle and will address those assembled. The text of the President's address to the event will be made available to media in advance.

Part 2: ‘Reflections on the Centenary’.

Part 2 will begin with a visual montage of the members of the first Dáil Éireann.
Professor Cathal McSwiney Brugha, grandson of Cathal Brugha, the first Ceann Comhairle will then speak of his grandfather’s role in the formation of the First Dáil.
The Declaration of Independence will be performed in Irish and English by Áine Ní Laoghaire and Donncha Crowley.
A video insert, produced by Oireachtas TV, will then play, featuring former members of Dáil Éireann reading the Message to the Free Nations.
Spoken word artist, Natalya O’Flaherty, will then give a performance of the Democratic Programme.
This will be followed by a musical performance of ‘The Coolin’ by harpist, Aisling Ennis, after which President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, and Mrs Higgins will depart the event.

Part 3: Joint Sitting and Centenary Declaration.

At 4.30pm, the Ceann Comhairle will open the Joint Sitting and present the Centenary Declaration to the Sitting.
This will be followed by contributions from Party Leaders.
The Centenary Declaration will be signed by the Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach and presented to Anna Powell and Alex Gorman - representatives of Comhairle na nÓg, the national body of child and youth councils - to symbolise the continued adherence to the principles of parliamentary democracy.
Closing remarks will be made by the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, Senator Denis O’Donovan.
The Ceann Comhairle will then declare the Sitting adjourned; the national anthem is played by the Army Number One Band and the event concludes.

Notes for editors:

1. The 100th anniversary of the First Dáil will be supported by a wide ranging programme of events, with an emphasis on public engagement, starting at end 2018 and running episodically throughout most of 2019. The programme will be based on the themes of celebrating, commemorating and educating people about the First Dáil and 100 years of Irish parliamentary democracy. Find out more about Dáil100

2. For all media enquiries and interview bids with the Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD, please contact pressoffice@oireachtas.ie

3. The ceremonial event, which will take place in the Round Room of the Mansion House on Monday, 21st January, will be broadcast live from 3.30pm – 5.30pm on Oireachtas TV

4. Photography for the ceremonial event in the Mansion House on the 21st of January will be provided by Maxwell Photography: office@maxwellphotography.ie / +353 1 830 8072.

5. A satellite pool feed of the event on the 21st January will be available via broadcast@oireachtas.ie.

6. Parliaments represented by Speakers / appointed representatives: Austria; Belgium; Cyprus; Greece; Hungary; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Poland; Slovenia; Sweden; Isle of Man; Croatia; Czech Republic; Estonia; Finland; France; Italy; Latvia; Malta; Netherlands; Portugal; Slovakia; United Kingdom; Scotland; Wales; Northern Ireland; Guernsey; USA; EU; Romania.