Proclamation Day

Post date: Mar 15, 2016 9:15:00 PM

On Tuesday the 15th March, O'Connell's along with every other primary and secondary school in Ireland, celebrated Proclamation Day. The celebration of the centenary of the 1916 rising is an important event to be marked throughout the country. It marks 100 years since the official declaration of Ireland as a Republic and the first step towards the freedom of our nation. In O'Connell's we have reason to be particularly proud of the participants of the 1916 rising as no less than 134 pupils from O'Connell's were directly involved in the rising. These names will soon be mounted on the wall inside the school, alongside our new mural which depicts three past pupils who were executed after the rising - Seán Heuston, Eamonn Ceannt and Con Colbert.

Pupils throughout the school have been preparing for Proclamation Day for many months now, Each class has been learning about the rising in their history. Many of the pupils from 3rd-6th class have been rehearsing for a short drama which showed the events during the week of the rising. All pupils in the school learned two songs in honour of this day - The Foggy Dew and out national anthem Amhrán na bhFiann. In addition, the school has been running a special 1916 craft competition in conjunction with the Easter Art Competition. Below you can see many of the fantastic and creative entries!

Today, we came together as a school community to showcase this art and our drama, to sing our songs, to read the proclamation and to raise the Irish flag which is flying proudly at the front of the school. We are proud to be apart of the 1916 centenary celebrations. Check back to see the video of these events which will be posted here shortly!