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
