23/04/2014

Sinn Féin Launch Revolutionary Quarter Proposal

Sinn Féin has launched a set of proposals to establish a revolutionary quarter in Dublin City Centre to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

Launched at Dublin Sinn Féin's Easter Commemoration, Gerry Adams said: "Sinn Féin is determined to ensure that 2016, the 1916 Centenary is marked in the most appropriate way possible, as a fitting popular acknowledgement of the past but also, and just as importantly, as a pointer to a better future.

"The government's amnesia about the revolutionary period is most evident in its plans for the Moore Street historic monument.

"The buildings on Moore Street, which were the last Headquarters of the Provisional Government of the Irish Republic, have been left to fall into ruin.  This is despite having been designated as a National Monument since 2007.

"In a sad metaphor of the state we live in, the buildings that survived British bombardment in 1916 now face destruction from property developers who plan to reduce it to rubble and build a shopping centre in its place.

"The potential threat to the National Monument under a current planning application, is a matter of serious concern to Sinn Féin and many other citizens.

"I want to take the this opportunity to officially launch, at this most appropriate venue and at this appropriate time, this document – The 1916 Revolutionary Quarter. A vision for Dublin's historic centre. This important set of proposals has been published by Sinn Féin Átha Cliath.

"It is aimed at ensuring that the 1916 National Monument at Numbers 14 to 17 Moore Street, is fully protected and preserved in its entirety as designated and that the surrounding buildings, streets and laneways are retained in such a manner that the potential to develop this area into a 1916 historic and cultural quarter can be fulfilled.

"Let us send a very clear message to the Government that it should ensure the full preservation of the national monument and to develop a plan to transform the GPO/Moore Street area into a historic quarter."

The proposals can be read in full here (PDF)

(MH/JP)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

19 November 2014
Sinn Féin Criticise Govt Over 'Deeply Disrespectful' 1916 Commemorations
The government has been criticised for a "lack of detail" in its plans to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Rising. Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said that the plans were "deeply disrespectful to the men and women of 1916 and betray a cynical indifference to their ideals, hopes and vision".
09 July 2015
Taoiseach Urged To Protect Moore Street Monuments
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has been urged to protect the 1916 National Monument on Moore Street and to ensure the removal of buildings at 14 to 17 from the proposed auction of the loan portfolio of disgraced developer, Joe O'Reilly.
20 April 2015
Fianna Fáil Slam Sinn Féin As 'Unfit' For Government
Fianna Fáil leader Mícheál Martin has criticised Sinn Féin as "unfit for participation in a democratic republican government." Speaking at the annual 1916 Commemoration, Mr Martin said that Sinn Féin had been "aggressively promoting the false claim that they have some connection to 1916 and to the volunteers who fought then.
03 June 2009
Kenny Slams Sinn Féin Coalition Claims
Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny has rejected claims he asked if Sinn Féin would be prepared to support him as Taoiseach after the 2007 General Election. Trevor Sargent, then boss of the Green Party, claimed in a newspaper interview today he had been approached by Mr Kenny who asked if Sinn Féin would support a Fine Gael Government.
10 June 2015
Seanad To Debate Moore Street Development Bid
The Seanad is due to debate a Bill on the redevelopment of the national monument at Moore Street in Dublin and designate the surrounding area as a 'historical quarter'. The Bill has been brought forward by Fianna Fáil and is said to have the "full backing" of campaign groups and traders.