Celebratory Photographic Exhibition to open in University College Cork

Media » Celebratory Photographic Exhibition to open in University College Cork

Celebrating 90 Years of Dáil Éireann
Celebratory Photographic Exhibition to open in University College Cork

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 University College Cork as part of its national tour where it will be open to the public for two weeks (May 18th -May 29th). Speaking in advance of the visit to Cork, the Ceann Comhairle, John O’Donoghue, TD, remarked:

"It is a privilege to host this exhibition in Cork, one of Ireland’s and indeed Europe’s oldest and historic cities. Not without reason, Cork is referred to as the rebel county and the city is often called 'Rebel Cork' because it was a centre of the 19th-century Fenian movement and played a crucial part in the Irish fight for independence following the meeting of the first Dáil Éireann in 1919. That led to the centre of Cork being completely destroyed by the Black and Tans during the War of Independence. So, it is fitting that this celebration of our national parliament should be hosted in a city and county that played such an active part in the foundation of this State.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, Dáil Éireann, and run the affairs of this country.

This photographic 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. 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 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