|
|
 |
|
|
|
| Reference |
DOD/3/66397
|
| Title |
Ceremonial. Proposal to set aside Saint Patrick’s day as a day of reconciliation
|
| Scope and Content |
File contains correspondence, memoranda, government statements, submissions for government, parliamentary question transcripts, and newspaper clippings relating to the establishment of a national day of commemoration. This was to be based on a more inclusive concept whereby all that died for Ireland, and all victims of civil strife in Ireland would be remembered. In 1973 Saint Patrick’s day (17 March) was chosen for its inclusivity, with the majority of this material in this file relating to the taking of this decision 10 March 1973, and its proposed putting into effect in 1974.
From March 1973 correspondence between Conor Cruise O’Brien, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, and Patrick Donegan, Minister for Defence, discusses this matter. A letter (25 June 1973) from the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Liam Cosgrave to Donegan indicates that Cosgrave had asked Donegan and Cruise O’Brien to explore this possibility in order that a single day could replace the multitude of annual commemorative ceremonies. Cruise O’Brien and Donegan agree that due to its neutral nature Saint Patrick’s day should be set aside as a day of commemoration and reconciliation, to be largely defined by the ecclesiastical authorities, and with minimal military involvement in line with its reconciliatory aims. A memorandum for the government from Donegan (4 July 1973) recommends that this will include maximum state involvement and ecumenical services and be the only day on which the state would participate in public commemoration. Donegan writes to Cruise O’Brien 21 August 1973 asking his opinion as to which department should take charge of organizing the day of commemoration as it no longer seems appropriate to the Department of Defence. Cruise replies 7 November 1973 that the Taoiseach’s department seems most fitting. He adds that due to their partisan nature future ceremonies at the Garden of Remembrance and Arbour Hill should not include state participation.
A memorandum dated 28 December 1973 provides an overview of events, correspondence, suggestions, views, decisions, and objections relating to the establishment of Saint Patrick’s day as a day of commemoration/reconciliation.
A letter from Cruise O’Brien to Cosgrave, dated 9 January 1974 expresses concern at the Department of Defence day of commemoration proposals contained in an attached memorandum. He views these as placing undue emphasis on military involvement in ceremonies, and the inclusion of state involvement at Arbour Hill and the Garden of Remembrance which he considers exclusively republican, as anathema to the current needs of the Irish people.
Ultimately military involvement was limited to an escort of honour for the President to Saint Patrick’s cathedral, and the participation of army bands and unarmed contingents of the defence forces in the Saint Patrick’s day parades, with Ministers attending various parades, religious ceremonies, and functions across the country as documented by [February-March 1974] papers including a Government Information Services schedule of public engagements for week ending Friday, 22 March 1974. Further to this a special prayer approved by the heads of the various churches was included in religious services with two minutes silence, and a Presidential television and radio broadcast at 18:00 hours. It is unclear from these papers what form the Arbour Hill ceremonies took in 1974. An Irish Press newspaper clipping of 31 March 1975 indicates that members of the Old I.R.A. association, having borrowed weapons from Collin’s Barracks, and Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (members of parliament) attended. There is no documentation regarding arrangements for 1976/1977.
In November 1977 the question of the reinstatement of the Easter Sunday as the national day of commemoration, with military parade, was considered by the government. This was referred to the Minister for Defence who in a memorandum for the government recommended that this should be the case for ensuing years. A memorandum from Lieutenant Colonel John F. Gallagher, dated 23 December 1977, expresses the view that despite its appropriateness it would not be possible for 1978 due to the present demands on the security forces, and the possibility that it may tempt subversives to undertake activities on that day. Gallagher suggests that a smaller military ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance, in line with those held in 1972 and 1973, be held in 1978. The Minister for Defence notes his agreement with this suggestion for 1978, with the recommendation that the Easter Sunday commemoration and military parade be reinstated in 1979. A memorandum for Government from the Minister for Defence [10 February 1978] reflects these views. A letter dated 17 February 1978 to the Department of Defence, from the Department of the Taoiseach, informs that the matter of Easter Sunday as a national day of commemorations has been withdrawn from the cabinet agenda.
Material from 1983, including correspondence, a Dáil (parliamentary) debate transcript and a newspaper cutting document renewed interest in the setting aside of a national day of commemoration. Then Taoiseach Garrett Fitzgerald indicated to Charles J. Haughey and others that Saint Patrick’s day had been nominated for this purpose in 1974 but that it had not generally been taken up.
During 1983 and 1984 material suggests that the call for a national day of commemoration for all Irishmen and women who died in war were exacerbated by anger over Defence Forces participation in the British Legion’s Remembrance day. This resulted in the emergence of the ‘Association of the establishment of the national day of commemoration’; in which retired members of the defence forces were active.
|
| External document |
Download
|
|
|
