PRESS RELEASE - Plaque commemorating Irish Citizen Army unveiled at NCAD
Plaque commemorating Irish Citizen Army unveiled at NCAD today
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, 6th October 2016
Plaque commemorating Irish Citizen Army unveiled at NCAD
A plaque commemorating the men, women and young people who served with the Irish Citizen Army (ICA) during the revolutionary period 1913 – 1923 was today unveiled in the courtyard of the National College of Art and Design (NCAD), located at 100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8.
Ahead of the unveiling, an ICA Re-enactment Group led a march of members from the local community and SIPTU activists from St. Catherine’s Church on Thomas Street to the unveiling site in NCAD. The plaque was officially unveiled by the relatives of those who served with the ICA.
The unveiling of the plaque was a joint initiative between NCAD and the SIPTU Dublin District Council and supported by Dublin City Council.
SIPTU Dublin District Council secretary, Kevin Glackin, said: “During 2016, the SIPTU Dublin District Council are unveiling a series of plaques to commemorate the working class men, women and young people who served in the Irish Citizen Army in the areas where they lived.”
He added: “The interest in the unveiling of these plaques has been considerable and increased awareness of the radical history of our city during the revolutionary period of 1913 to 1923.”
Acting Director of NCAD, Bernard Hanratty, said: “NCAD is proud to be a member of The Liberties community and engage with our neighbours, local institutions and community groups. Today, we were delighted to welcome SIPTU, Dublin City Council, and members of the local community to NCAD, to mark the occasion of the unveiling of the Irish Citizen Army plaque.”
“Our Thomas Street campus, formerly a Power’s Distillery, is rich with history. Recently, in a partnership with Irish Distillers, we opened an interpretive trail and visitor experience to give visitors a better understanding of the many historic features of the campus, which retains much of its distillery heritage. We look forward to welcoming many more visitors through our iconic archway, to explore and rediscover the history of their community and the role their ancestors played in the 1916 Rising.”
Following the unveiling, ICA historian Brian Hanley, provided a talk on the history and politics of the ICA.
This event is part of a series of plaque unveilings by the SIPTU Dublin District Council throughout 2016 in conjunction with local communities.
ENDS
Contact: Sarah Harte / David O’Donnell, DHR Communications, Tel: 01-4200580 / 087-9858259/ 086-1081139
Notes to editors:
About NCAD
The National College of Art and Design occupies a unique position in art and design education in Ireland. It offers the largest range of Art and Design degrees in the State at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and is the only Irish university institution specialising in Art and Design. NCAD has over 1,100 full-time students and a further 450 students who take award and non-award bearing part-time classes. Further information is available at www.ncad.ie
Follow NCAD on Twitter: @NCAD_Dublin, Instagram @ncad_dublin, or Facebook www.facebook.com/NCAD.Dublin. #studyatNCAD
