Celebratory Photographic Exhibition to launch in Rothe House, Kilkenny

Media » Celebratory Photographic Exhibition to launch in Rothe House, Kilkenny

Celebrating 90 Years of Dail Éireann
Celebratory Photographic Exhibition to launch in Rothe House, Kilkenny

9 April 2009

Earlier this year, the Houses of the Oireachtas celebrated 90 years of Dail Eireann by hosting a special commemorative sitting of both Houses in the Mansion House in Dublin. To further mark this significant anniversary year, the Ceann Comhairle, John O’Donoghue TD, officially launched a photographic exhibition entitled ‘Celebrating 90 Years of Dail Éireann’ in Leinster House last month.

This exhibition will now travel to Rothe House in Kilkenny as part of its national tour where it will be open to the public for two weeks (April 27th-May 9th)

Speaking in advance of the visit to Kilkenny, the Ceann Comhairle, John O’Donoghue, TD, remarked: "It is fitting that this exhibition, as part of its national tour, should travel here to Kilkenny, a city rich in heritage and history. As Ireland’s Medieval capital, Kilkenny was the venue for much of the deliberations of the Anglo Irish Parliament that met on 15 occasions in the 14th century. Throughout our history, the Irish people have always made known their desire for national self-determination, to govern themselves through their own parliament.

This year, we salute the patriotism and courage of those elected representatives who, through their meeting in the Mansion House in January 1919, assumed the right to establish a parliament, Dail Éireann, and run the affairs of this country. This photographic exhibition celebrates the past 90 years of Dail Éireann. But it does more than that. It is a process of re-affirming that Dail Éireann is a parliament of the people.

Our parliamentary system must change, and through events like today, is changing and is making politics and parliament more relevant, more open and more transparent. This is why I, as Ceann Comhairle, strongly support the efforts of our parliamentarians to reform procedures, to make our parliament more accessible to civil society and through such as this exhibition, bring parliament closer to people."The exhibition features historical election posters and memorabilia such as both pro and anti treaty posters, photographs of many of Ireland’s leading political figures since the foundation of the State, political advertisements on the referendum to adopt Bunreacht na hEireann and also illustrations of the media coverage of these important events.

These historic photographs from Ireland’s social and political past will take people on a journey of Ireland’s unique history from 1919 to date. Each significant period is represented with images sourced from the National Library of Ireland, the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, UCD Archives, RTE and Photocall Ireland who have all collaborated in this initiative.

Ends

For further information on the event, please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2.P: 01-618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: 01-618 4551