The Annual Jim Gralton Commemorative Weekend and School will take place in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, on the weekend of the 22nd/23rd April.
The School will focus on the Proclamation as a basis for discussion and the title of this years event is “1916 – A Proclamation Unfulfilled.”
The Programme is as follows:-
2.00.p.m. Official opening of School by Cllr. Declan Bree, Chair, Gralton Labour History Committee.
2.10.p.m. Session One
Proclamation: "We declare the right of the people of Ireland..........to be sovereign and indefeasable......"
‘Irish Sovereignty, the National Question and the E.U.’
Speaker: Patricia McKenna. Green Party
Chair: Cllr Martin Kenny. Sinn Fein member Leitrim County Council.
2.30.p.m. Discussion
3.10.p.m. Session Two
Proclamation; "....the Irish Nation must, by.....the readiness of its children to sacrifice themselves.....prove itself worthy..."
‘Commemorating Blood Sacrifice 1916 -1936: Origins of the Easter Lily and the Flanders Poppy campaign in the Irish Free State.’
Speaker: Dr. Ann Matthews. Author of the Rise and Demise of Women in Irish Politics 1900-1941”
Chair: Mr Paul Dillon. Labour Youth.
3.30.p.m. Discussion
4.10.p.m. Coffee/Tea Break
4.30.p.m. Session Three
Proclamation: "We declare the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland................."
‘Connolly’s Teachings and the lessons for today’s Labour movement’
Speaker: Tony Moriarty. Trade Union economist – Research Officer Amicus Trade Union.
Chair: Gabriel McSharry. North Leitrim Political activist.
4.50.p.m. Discussion
5.30.p.m. Close of Saturday afternoon Session
9.00.p.m. SOCIAL EVENING
The Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon
Sunday 23rd April
11.00.a.m. Session Four
Proclamation: "The Republic declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and all of its parts...."
‘Defending the idea of community and protecting the conditions under which it can flourish’
Speakers: Maura Harrington of the Davitt League and Eamonn McCann of the Socialist Environmental Alliance
Chair: Eugene McCartan, National Chair, Communist Party of Ireland
11.40.a.m. Discussion
12.30.p.m. Close of School
3.00.p.m. Commemorative Ceremony at the site of the Gralton’s Pearse-Connolly Hall, Effernagh.
Assemble Morrisons Cross at 2.45.p.m.
Prominent Speakers:
The venue for the Weekend School is the Dock Arts Centre, St Georges Terrace, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim.
Registration at the Arts Centre from 10.45.a.m. on Saturday 23rd April or you can apply directly to:
Gralton Labour History Committee,
1, High Street,
Sligo.
T: 071-9145490
E: glhc@eircom.net
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