A New Proclamation for a Modern Ireland

Today, all over our country, people stand proudly under the Irish flag. Let us not forget those who fought and died so as we could have this moment.

Our flag has three colours, the most important of which is white. Had this flag been designed in our lifetimes it would bear many more colours. The most important of which would still be white.

Many things have changed in the hundred years since Padraig Pearse read the Proclamation on the steps of the GPO. We now have the freedom he so earnestly craved. It is up to us, the present and future generations of Ireland to use this freedom to further the aims of equality, religious and civil liberty, prosperity and happiness as outlined in 1916.

In 1916 we yearned for independence, for separation from those who would oppress us. In 2016 we have our independence but we no longer wish to be isolated. We are proud members of the European Union and the United Nations. We have a role to play in global issues such as climate change and the refugee crisis. Ní neart go cur le chéile.

Despite our progress as a relatively young nation there are still obstacles to overcome before we achieve the lofty aims of our fallen heroes.

There is no justifiable reason for homelessness to exist in modern Ireland. Unemployment and emigration continue to hamper our potential and damage our future. People sleep on trolleys in our hospitals despite the countless beds laying empty in closed wards. The well-being of our older citizens is not the priority it should be while rising obesity levels suggest the health of our young people is being neglected also.  Mental health issues can no longer be ignored nor can our alarming suicide rate. There is a shortage of Gardaí and the closure of Garda stations and post offices rip the heart out of our rural communities. People no longer feel safe in their homes because our justice system allows criminals to return to the streets virtually unpunished.

We are a proud nation and we have a lot to be proud of: our culture, our language and our people. We must protect our reputation as ‘Ireland of the Welcomes’ and treat our immigrants as well as we would wish our emigrants be treated on foreign shores.

Our fight to day is not for freedom. Our fight is to improve the quality of life in our beautiful country, to ensure that Padraig Pearse’s dream of equality, liberty, prosperity and happiness becomes a reality for all who call Ireland home.

Composed by the students of Fifth and Sixth Class