Our Proclamation Day today consisted of an introduction by Rev Stephen McCann followed by Tin Whistle Concert, poetry reading, reading of the St Matthias Proclamation and the raising of the flag, while the children sang the National Anthem. Finally Billy Barry read out the names of the 40 children killed in the rising, while the children released a balloon for each child with their name on it. We then collected the balloons, as in our proclamation we promote a clean environment.
An extract from Rev. Stephen’s address: “It may seem strange that someone of American heritage is standing before you today as we remember Ireland’s proclamation. Yet upon reflection it is very appropriate. After all, the Irish Proclamation was about the promotion of human autonomy and human independence. As I look at our audience today, I see people of varying nationalities (Irish and other), cultural and religious backgrounds. We are in good company as we remember the Irish Proclamation written 100 years ago. Saint Matthias National School welcomes all people and treats each person with dignity, as God’s blessing. As we remember Ireland’s day of Proclamation, let us also remember our own identity and calling, to support each person’s freedom – children and adults alike; let us celebrate this identity and live it for ourselves, for one another and for the world in which we live”.
