Ireland 2016 was the State’s Centenary Programme to commemorate the 1916 Rising. It encompassed a broad spectrum of seven key strands in honour of the seven signatories of the 1916 Proclamation, including State Ceremonial, Historical Reflection and Community Participation. Óglaigh na hÉireann, the Defence Forces, played a key role in representing our citizens and ensuring the success of Ireland 2016.
All schools in Ireland were asked to write their own version of the proclamation. Pupils from every class at St Francis NS were involved in the content of our proclamation, which we recorded and accompanied it with a film.
Many thanks to parent David Norton for helping to make the film.
In all Irish schools, to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Rising and to celebrate 100 years since the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, the Government tasked Óglaigh na hÉireann with delivering a National Flag to every Primary School in the country.
On September 16th 2015, Kevin Flanagan who is a member of the Irish Defence Forces visited our school and presented us with an Irish flag and a copy of the old proclamation. They explained to our pupils the meaning of the flag and the proclamation and answered questions.
We had a lovely ceremony on Tuesday March 15th involving the whole school community – pupils, staff, parents and grandparents, neighbours and friends – which culminated with the raising of the National Flag and singing our National Anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann.