Common History? Common Memory?: The Decade of Centenaries, 1912-22 Re-visited

Ireland is said to have ‘a common history but not a common memory’. The ‘decade of centenaries’ – covering anniversaries of the 1912-22 period - has allowed engagement with rich ‘local stories’ like: ‘The UVF man at the 1916 Rising’; the West Belfast link to the Connaught Rangers; ‘The Typist with the Webley’ and the Engineering Strike which paralysed Belfast. This talk will consider how successful the ‘decade’ has been in promoting a shared understanding of the past. Dr Éamon Phoenix is a political historian, broadcaster and journalist. He is a member of the Irish Government’s Advisory Committee on Commemorations.

Organised by Féile Debates and Discussions Committee and supported by the DFA’s Reconciliation Fund

Deirtear go bhfuil ‘comhstair’ ach nach bhfuil ‘comhchuimhne’ in Éirinn. Lig ‘deich mbliana de na comórthaí céad bliain’ a chlúdóidh comórthaí na tréimhse 1912-22 – don bhaint lena lán ‘scéalta áitiúla’ amhail: ‘The UVF man at the 1916 Rising’; an ceangal Feirsteach Iartharach leis na Connaught Rangers; ‘The Typist with the Webley’ agus Béal Feirste ina stad de bharr na Stailce Innealtóireachta. Déanfaidh an chaint seo machnamh a rathúla agus a bhí ‘na deich mbliana’ comhthuiscint ar an am atá caite a chur chun cinn. Is staraí polaitíochta, craoltóir agus iriseoir an Dr Éamon Phoenix. Is ball de Choiste Comhairleach Rialtas na hÉireann um Chomórthaí é.

Eagraithe ag Coiste Plé agus Díospóireachtaí Féile agus tacaithe ag Ciste Athmhuintearais na RGE