New York Commemoration of Easter Rising, 24 April 2016

Sunday 24th April was a truly historic day for the Irish American community in the New York Metropolitan region, as we saw an unprecedented coming together of over 5,000 members of the Irish community and their friends to commemorate the Centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

‌It was a day that not only commemorated the birth of Ireland as a sovereign nation, but also acknowledged the role of Ireland's "exiled children in America", especially the role that those in New York played during the 1916 events. 24th April also celebrated the deep and vibrant historic and continuing relationship between Ireland, America and New York.

Watch Irish Tv's coverage of the special 1916 Easter Rising Commemoration in New York City on April 24th: [link no longer available]

The venue for the day was Wagner Park and Pier A in Battery Park City, a location with deep resonance for the Irish American community, as the landing point for those who came to the US during the Great Hunger of the 19th Century.

The Government of Ireland and Irish Community Official Commemorative Ceremony took place at 11:00 AM in Wagner Park. The programme included a reading of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic by Captain Peter Kelleher, 27th Infantry Battalion of the Irish Defence Forces, followed by the laying of a wreath, the singing of the national anthems and the raising of the national flags. Participants, speakers and guests of honour included political leaders from New York and Ireland, the Irish Defence Forces and the 69th Infantry Regiment.

Photo: Mr. Alan Kelly T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government, addressing the audience at the Official Commemoration Ceremony in Wagner Park

Photo: Large crowds gathered to watch the Official Commemoration Ceremony at Wagner Park

Photo: Captain Peter Kelleher reads the Proclamation against the backdrop of the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

Immediately following the ceremony, Wagner Park and Pier A Harbour House were opened up with a star-studded music and cultural programme entitled ‘Welcoming Ireland!’, which saw the presentation of over five hours of the best of Irish Culture from both sides of the Atlantic.

In Wagner Park, music and dancing filled the programme for the afternoon, with dozens of musical acts from the United States and Ireland, including We Banjo 3, Maxine Linehan, Seo Linn, Ashley Davis, the Brock Maguire Band, the Yanks and Cherish the Ladies. Dance troupes included Hammerstep, The Green Fields of America and The Niall O'Leary Irish Dance Troupe. Our wonderful MC for the 'Welcoming Ireland!' celebration, Mary Murphy, brought the various performances together so smoothly and expertly, adding enormously to the celebration.

Photo: Seo Linn took to the stage at Wagner Park as part of the ‘Welcoming Ireland!’ cultural programme

Photo: In Wagner Park, music and dancing filled the cultural programme for the afternoon

At Pier A, film lovers were treated to a variety of screenings, such as the classic Mise Eire, the new Sundance TV series Rebellion, and new Irish short films, including the Oscar-winning Stutterer. There were lectures, from the evolving DNA of the Irish population to the role of Irish mothers in 1916. Theatre-goers and poetry readers had a chance to see New Yorker Poetry Editor Paul Muldoon in conversation with choreographer Jean Butler; readings from Irish American Writers & Artists; and a fantastic performance from the Irish Repertory Theatre.

Photo: Fantastic performance by the Irish Repertory Theatre at Pier A

The commemorative and cultural programme for 24 April was only made possible by the great efforts and time of a huge number of individuals and organisations in the broad Irish American community, as well as the civic and political authorities in the City. The Consulate team would therefore like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the organisations, individuals, artists, sponsors and community partners, who supported the events at Battery Park City.

We greatly appreciated the support of our elected leaders on the day: Senator Charles Schumer; Congressman Joe Crowley; Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul; Speaker of NYC Council, Melissa Mark-Viverito; the Irish Caucus and friends, New York City Council; the Irish American Legislators at Albany; and all our Borough Presidents.

We at the Consulate believe that the events of 24 April, along with so many other significant Irish events taking place to mark 2016 in the New York region in this period, will fortify and re-invigorate the Irish American community for all the challenges and opportunities of the months and years ahead.