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Irish Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
President Michael D Higgins leads tribute to 1916 leaders at annual State Commemoration
President Michael D Higgins has led the State's annual commemoration of the Easter Rising by laying a wreath to commemorate those who died in 1916 at Arbour Hill, where many of the executed leaders were buried. The commemoration at Arbour Hill is the longest-running State ceremony to commemorate the Rising. This year marks the 101st holding of the ceremony, which began in 1923, shortly after the end of the Civil War . The ceremony was also attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin , Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris, and many members of the Cabinet. READ MORE The ceremony began with Requiem Mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart, which is situated on the site, as well as a ceremony at the grave of the 1916 Leaders. The President laid a wreath to commemorate all who died in the Easter Rising. Speaking after the event, Mr Harris said: 'Today marks over 100 years of this State Commemoration of the Arbour Hill Ceremony as we remember those who died for Ireland in 1916 and in particular, those 14 executed leaders of 1916 who are buried here at Arbour Hill. 'It is an honour and privilege for me, as Minister for Defence, to host this traditional commemorative event in the company of relatives of the executed leaders,' he said. The ceremony was attended by over 400 people, including members of the Oireachtas; the Council of State; the Judiciary; religious leaders from all denominations; and relatives of the leaders and others who fought in 1916. The 27th Infantry Battalion from Dundalk Barracks provided the guard of honour. Among those in attendance was Fr Paul Murphy , the army chaplain who was stabbed by a teenage boy as he drove to the entrance of Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa Barracks in Galway. The attacker, then aged 16, was recently sentenced to eight years detention after pleading guilty to the attempted murder of Fr Murphy.
Irish Examiner
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Sinn Féin plays down running son of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane as presidential candidate
Sinn Féin has played down the choice of North Belfast MP John Finucane as its Dublin Easter commemoration speaker, with sources saying it does not hint towards him being the party's nominee for the presidency later this year. Mr Finucane, son of the murdered solicitor Pat Finucane, has been touted as a potential pick by Sinn Féin to contest October's election. However, party sources have said he is unlikely to run and his appearance at Sunday's event was merely the party "rotating" speakers from year to year. Party leader Mary Lou McDonald addressed the party's annual Easter Rising commemoration in Carrickmore in Tyrone, having done the Arbour Hill commemoration last year. Sources within the party said there was not yet any decision on who, or even if, the party would put forward a nominee to succeed Michael D Higgins later this year. There had been strong speculation linking Sinn Féin with the GAA President Jarlath Burns, but he ruled out such a move in February. 'Let me do that very clearly, that is not on my radar,' said Mr Burns. 'My plan when I finish this job is to go back to St Paul's, Bessbrook, to be principal of the school. That's the place I love, the place I miss, even though this is the best job you could possibly have, that's where I belong, that's where I belong anyway.' There has been some speculation Sinn Féin would back a combined left-wing platform candidate, with Independent senator Frances Black and Independent TD Catherine Connolly touted as possible names. Within Sinn Féin, however, there are some who say they would prefer not to back Ms Black, with some feeling she had become "too close" with the coalition parties in the lead-up to last year's general election in relation to her Occupied Territories Bill. Others in the party feel the key priority for any combined platform is ensuring whoever is nominated can win. In Fianna Fáil, MEP Barry Andrews has emerged as a potential candidate. Picture: Gareth Chaney Within the coalition, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael sources have privately ruled out running a combined candidate, with Fine Gael in particular keen to win the office for the first time. Within that party, former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness and former GAA president and current Ireland South MEP Seán Kelly are touted as potential candidates, with both said to be interested in a run. In Fianna Fáil, MEP Barry Andrews has emerged as a potential candidate, though his colleague Cynthia Ní Mhurchú told RTÉ she was focused on her role and has not courted any support for a bid. Fellow Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Cowen last week said some parties had become "sidetracked" by the issue. "I think I'm one of the few MEPs that is totally committed to the role to which I was elected without being distracted by wanting to be considered for that role," he joked. To receive a nomination, prospective candidates are required to be nominated by 20 members of the Oireachtas, or nominated by four local authorities. To be eligible, they must be an Irish citizen and have reached the age of 35. Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor has repeatedly expressed a desire to run for the presidency, but his path to a nomination appears unlikely, with both Oireachtas members and councillors across the board in recent weeks giving short shrift to the idea.
