31 youth councils across the country
Ireland 2016: State Ceremonial Event 15.06.2016
Áras an Uachtaráín, 15.06.2016
Hundreds of children and young people from Comhairle na nÓg, 32 primary schools, Irish Wheelchair Assocation and EPIC attended and participated in a special ceremonial event at Áras an Uachtaráin to remember the 40 children who died in the Easter Rising and to share their vision for Ireland.
As part of Ireland 2016, and in partnership with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, a series of consultations took place with children and young people, between the ages of 8 and 18, in Ireland and Northern Ireland, to find out what things they liked about Ireland and Northern Ireland and what things they would like to change. The results of the consultations are contained in a special report Children Seen and Heard 1916 – 2016, which was presented to Minister Katherine Zappone as part of the event. Video below was taken at the six consultations.
Hosted by President Michael D. Higgins, the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin were transformed for the occasion so that children were able to enjoy playing popular games from 1916. The formal ceremony included a lantern procession, one for each of the 40 children who died in the Rising, a presentation by some of the children on their vision for the future, the burying of a time capsule and a special tree-planting ceremony. Broadcaster and author of Children of the Rising, Joe Duffy was the MC for the event.
The event featured on Six one News that evening. To take a look, click here: http://m.rte.ie/news/2016/0615/795793-easter-rising-children/#media
A copy of Children Seen and Heard 1916 – 2016 is available here:
Children Seen and Heard 1916-2016
The summary report can be downloaded here:
Children Seen and Heard 1916-2016 Summary report
