Politics

Kenny says Foster should speak about her views of Rising

Launch by Google of online street tour of important sites during Easter Rising

At the launch in Google’s offices of its interactive street tour of 1916 was Lieut Gearoid O’Briain, a great-grandson of Cathal Brugha. Photograph: Dave Meehan
At the launch in Google’s offices of its interactive street tour of 1916 was Lieut Gearoid O’Briain, a great-grandson of Cathal Brugha. Photograph: Dave Meehan
Ciarán D'Arcy
Wed Jan 13 2016 - 01:00

The Taoiseach has suggested that Northern Ireland's new First Minister Arlene Foster should speak about her own views on the Easter Rising even if she does not want to partake in any official ceremonies.

Enda Kenny said that although the new leader of the Democratic Unionist Party has a "deep, deep view" about not participating in commemoration events it should still be possible for her to articulate her thoughts on what was a seminal moment in Irish history.

"I spoke today to Arlene Foster, the recently-elected First Minister of Northern Ireland, and congratulated her," he said at the launch of Google's Dublin Rising 1916-2016 online virtual street tour of important sites during the Rising.

"And I suggested to her that while she has a deep view about not participating in 1916 commemoration ceremonies it should be possible to put together an opportunity to allow the First Minister to speak about her views on 1916, which I'm quite sure we can arrange," he added, in an apparent overture to the unionist politician.

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Also attending the launch ceremony was Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys, who clarified that her department would be providing the prescribed level of funding to the Tenement Museum, another commemoration-related venture, after reports of an alleged row over the naming of the Henrietta Street exhibition.

"The Tenement Museum, I understand, is what it's going to be called, and I'm very happy with that, and I look forward to continuing to work with Dublin City Council, " she said.

Minister of State for Heritage Aodhán Ó Ríordáin had said earlier this month he would withhold funding if Dublin City Council were to name it the townhouse museum instead.

Mr Kenny commended Google’s work on the interactive tour, which explores the history of key sites of the Rising such as the GPO and Boland’s Mills through photographs and first-hand written accounts of the fighting from both rebels and British soldiers.

He said: “2016 is an important year that allows us to explore and understand the events not only of 1916 but the subsequent events that led to the establishment of our independent State.

“In acknowledging our past we are creating stronger foundations for a more vibrant and shared future.”

The Taoiseach also thanked actor Colin Farrell for his contribution in providing the voice-over for the programme which utilises documents and artefacts of the time curated by cultural institutions such as the National Library, the Royal Irish Academy, Trinity College and the Abbey Theatre.

The website is available at dublinrising.withgoogle.com