Honouring the children of 1916
By Mary Dennehy
MEMBERS of Tallaght’s younger generation this week recalled the 42 children who lost their lives during the 1916 Rising, with one 11-year-old, who is a relative of Irish Volunteer Thomas Ashe, also reading a self-penned poem.
St Martin De Porres National School in Aylesbury was visited by two members of the Air Force, who delivered a copy of the national flag and the 1916 Proclamation as part of the State’s programme to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising.
School Principal Tom Sweeney told The Echo how St Martin’s school celebrations of the Tricolour and Proclamation focused on a number of themes, with the main spotlight being shone on the 42 children who lost their lives during the Rising.
He said: “Remembering the children who lost their lives in 1916 is very important and we spoke of these young people and remembered them during the visit last Friday.
“This was the first of the school’s 1916 commemorations and the start of us honouring those who died, but also looking at how the pupils as citizens can build on the Proclamation and its ideals, such as equality and cherishing every citizen.”
During the event, the school choir and band provided a musical backdrop to the commemoration, while fifth class pupil Luke Heffernan, who is a relative of Thomas Ashe, a volunteer in 1916, read a poem he wrote himself.
Sergeant Kent and Sergeant Walsh presented the flag to pupil Zara O’Connor and the Proclamation to the school’s most senior teacher, Ms Mary Tierney, in the presence of the school community, Board of Management, Parents’ Association and past teachers.
Instead of their annual Christmas show, St Martin De Porres is planning an Easter concert on the theme of 1916. The flag will be raised in the school grounds this March 12.
