This once in a generation event provided us with
an opportunity to pause and reflect on the events of 1916. It gave us an
opportunity to say thank you to the men, women & children of 1916 that ‘yearned for liberty’ and sovereignty. It was a very memorable day, filled with
symbolism and meaning. The sun shone brightly & ‘the singing of the birds’ filled the sky.
Proclamation Day commenced with a whole school
assembly service in the school hall. Mr McGrath facilitated a very well
measured & meaningful account of the events of 1916. He investigated and
explored the class activities which had been exhibited for the occasion. Mr
McGrath read a selection of the Children’s proclamations following which each
pupil participated in a variety of song & music. A group of children
provided us with a wonderful Irish dance display.
Following the class performance, we made our way into the great outdoors. Once positioned, the flag raising ceremony commenced. The Turloughmore flag followed by the Cregmore Flag and finally the Irish flag were risen to the drummer’s lament and Peadar Kearney’s Amhrán na bhFiann. Ethan O’Brien very eloquently read and reflected upon the Proclamation and focussed particularly on the seven signatories of the Proclamation; Thomas J. Clarke, Seán Mac Diarmada, Thomas MacDonagh, Pádraig Pearse, Éamonn Ceannt, James Connolly & Joseph Mary Plunkett. Ethan and his peers reminded us on how their short lives and big dreams were cut short due to their quest for independence.
Mr Kennelly reflected in particular on Joseph Mary Plunkett. He did so by reciting one of Joseph Mary Plunkett’s best known poems ‘I See his Blood Upon the Rose’. To mark this very poignant event we planted a rose in our schoolyard & placed the ‘words upon the wall.’ Proceedings of the day concluded with the whole school singing Amhrán na bhFiann.
Proclamation day was a wonderful occasion. It was an honour and privilege to celebrate this once in a generation event with the pupils, parents, staff and community of Scoil Pádraig Naofa N.S.
