Celebratory Photographic Exhibition to open in South Tipperary Arts Centre, Clonmel, Co Tipperary

Media » Celebratory Photographic Exhibition to open in South Tipperary Arts Centre, Clonmel, Co Tipperary

Celebrating 90 Years of Dáil Éireann

Celebratory Photographic Exhibition to open in South Tipperary Arts Centre, Clonmel, Co
Tipperary

4 June 2009

Earlier this year, the Houses of the Oireachtas celebrated 90 years of Dáil Éireann 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 Dáil Éireann’ in Leinster House last month.

This exhibition will now travel to the South Tipperary Arts Centre, Clonmel, Co Tipperary as part of its national tour where it will be open to the public on Thursday June 11^th for two weeks (June 11^th – June 24^th).

Speaking in advance of the visit to Tipperary, the Ceann Comhairle, John O’Donoghue, TD, remarked: “It is a privilege to host this exhibition commemorating 90 years of Dáil Éireann in Clonmel and it is fitting that the exhibition should be on display in Tipperary, a county which played a crucial part in the Irish struggle for independence following the meeting of the first Dail Éireann in 21 January 1919. On that very same day, in Tipperary the first shots in the War of Independence were fired in Soloheadbeg when Dan Breen and Seán Treacy led a group of volunteers in an attack on members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who were transporting gelignite.

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, Dáil Éireann, and run the affairs of this country.

This exhibition of photographs marks the history of our parliament from its inception to the present day – combining iconic images from our early days to more contemporary photographs of recent times. In essence, these photographs capture 90 years of parliamentary democracy and this exhibition celebrates the past 90 years of Dáil Éireann.

But it does more than that. It is a process of re-affirming that Dáil 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.”

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 hÉireann 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