Play your role in making history
Westmeath County Council invites participation from groups, organisations and individuals to be part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme
Westmeath County Council has launched a public consultation process on the development and delivery of a local programme as part of Ireland 2016.
This consultation process will involve inviting submissions and the council will also host open meetings on for anyone interested in participating.
These meetings are scheduled as follows:
Mullingar: Monday April 20, 7.30pm, Annebrook Hotel
Athlone: Thursday April 23, 7.30pm, Radisson Blu Hotel
Submissions or Ideas in writing should be sent to: Ireland 2016 Co-ordinator, Westmeath County Council, Áras an Chontae, Mullingar, or by emailing: ireland2016@westmeathcoco.ie.
The closing date for receipt of submissions is Friday May 8.
Ireland 2016 is a year-long programme of activity, in which everyone is invited to participate, to commemorate the events of the 1916 Rising, to reflect on our achievements as a democratic state over the last 100 years and to look towards Ireland’s future.
The national programme, which was announced by the government on March 31, includes seven strands – State Ceremonial; Historical Reflection; An Teanga Bheo/The Living Language; Youth and Imagination; Cultural Expression; Community Participation; Global and Diaspora.
The Community Participation strand is being led by local authorities across the country and Westmeath County Council has appointed a steering group who will be responsible for coordinating the local programme.
Whether you are a member of an historical society, sports club, amateur drama club or community group, or even if this is something that is purely a personal interest, this is an opportunity to share ideas, pool resources and be part of the creation of a unique and distinctive local programme to mark Ireland 2016.
Cllr Paddy Hill, cathaoirleach of the council, and chair of the steering group said: “Ireland 2016, as a year of reflection and engagement for everyone on this island, goes far beyond the formal marking of a key historical moment.
“It is a once-in-a-century invitation to people of all ages, at home and overseas, to shape and take part in a diverse range of historical, cultural and artistic activities, all designed to nurture reflection, commemoration, celebration and debate.
“There is a wealth of imagination, energy and vision available to us in Westmeath and I want to encourage everyone to get involved in their own way so we can make Ireland 2016 a truly national event.”
Following a short presentation on the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, participants will be invited to partake in a facilitated session to share ideas, projects and initiatives of local interest.
Interested participants are requested to register their interest to attend by emailing by contacting: Ireland2016@westmeathcoco.ie before Friday April 17.
Details of the national Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme are available at www.ireland.ie.
Follow Ireland 2016 on Facebook and Twitter: #ireland2016 #eire2016
For further information on the Westmeath Ireland 2016 Programme, contact: Community Development Section Tel 044 9332051 or email Ireland2016@westmeathcoco.ie.