Staff and children of Bawnmore National School, Claregalway, Co Galway held a Proclamation Day Commemoration Event today, March 15th 2016, in the school. It was with great pride that we welcomed our special guests Sargent John Ainsworth, Veteran Liam Ainsworth and Veteran Martin Fahy, Maura Flaherty, Peter Feeney, all with relations or ties to the school.
Maura is the grandmother of Ava and Michael Flaherty and Peter is grandfather to Niall, Cormac, and Tadgh Feeney. Sean and Ronan Duggan’s great-grandfather Patrick King was a soldier who was involved with the Rising at Carnmore Cross. We were privileged to have them here today, considering their close link to 1916. Maura’s mother Josephine O’Keefe, was a member of Cumann na mBan, who was incarcerated in both Mountjoy and Kilmainham jails for her participation in 1916 events. Peter’s father was the Commander in charge of the 1916 activities that took place at Carnmore Cross.
Today, March 15th 2016, was declared Proclamation Day in the National Schools around Ireland and each school raised a Flag to honour, commemorate, and celebrate the men and women whose courageous and selfless actions forever changed the political and social landscape of Ireland. It was with great pride that our special guests raised the Flag in celebration of the lives and achievements of family members and our Irish heroes.
2016 presents us with a once in a century opportunity to create events of celebration and remembrance that are a value in themselves but also contribute to a greater sense of who we are. We are rightly proud of our past, and at this time, have the opportunity to remember, reflect and review our past whilst allowing us the chance to envision our future.
Today we celebrated by raising the Flag and singing our national anthem, as well as some of our senior children performing spoken and musical pieces. We are very proud of them all!
