NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE Stance adopted by League a decade ago vindicated by this welcome news The news that the Irish government has secured the Moore Street site in Dublin for the Irish Nation, a site of great significance in terms of the Easter Rising in 1916, is particularly welcomed by the Celtic League. The League was one of a number of organisations that called for this iconic location, in terms of the Rising, to be secured and preserved. A decade ago in 2005 the Celtic League joined others who opposed the demolition and redevelopment of the site. We wrote to all the Members of Dublin City Council and to the Irish government articulating in forceful terms the need for this site which we described as: ?an essential part of modern Irish political heritage can be preserved for the Irish Nation?. The full text of the letters and press release issued at that time is set out below: PRESERVE 'LAST REDOUBT' OF RISING CALL The Celtic League has written to both Dublin City Council and the Department of Heritage in Ireland (see below) urging that 16 Moore Street, Dublin be preserved as a Heritage site for the Irish people. Moore Street was where the final chapter of the 1916 Easter Rising was played out in the hours prior to the surrender of those who initiated the steps which led to the establishment of the present Irish State. Many of those who made the premises their last redoubt, including the leader of the Army of the Irish Republic, Padraig Pearse, were subsequently executed. An on-line petition calling for action to preserve the site is at; (voir le site) J B Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 08/10/05 The Mayor and Members Dublin City Council Council Chambers Dublin Municipal Building 5200 Emerald Parkway Dublin. Dear Mayor & Members, I write to express our support for the efforts of those individuals currently campaigning to save 16 Moore Street, site of the final HQ of the Army of the Irish Republic during the Easter 1916. I was surprised to hear that a building of such significance in the circumstances of the eventual establishment of the present Irish State has fallen into such a sorry state of dereliction and disrepair. The sacrifices of those involved in the events of 1916 were quite extraordinary and in addition to it leading to the freedom of a significant part of Ireland it was also a catalyst for independence movements elsewhere. I trust steps can be taken to ensure that what is an essential part of modern Irish political heritage can be preserved for the Irish Nation. Yours sincerely, J B Moffatt Secretary General 08/10/05 cc. Dick Roche, T.D.Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Dick Roche, T.D. Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Custom House, Dublin 1. Dear Minister Roche, I write to express our support for the campaign being waged to ensure the retention of 16 Moore Street, Dublin, a site of significance in relation to the 1916 struggle for freedom in Ireland. I understand that you have already spoken out publicly about the value in historical and heritage terms of the site. We trust that this initial support will be translated into tangible moves to ensure the procurement of this significant location for the Irish Nation. I enclose a copy of a letter we have also forwarded to Dublin City Council about this matter. You will note I point out that the events in Ireland in 1916, the last stages of which were played out at Moore Street, the final HQ of the Army of the Irish Republic in 1916, have a significance not only for subsequent political developments for the Irish people but more generally. Yours sincerely, J B Moffatt Secretary General 08/10/05″ There is no doubt that the interventions by the League and others at that time halted a process which would have seen the treasured site lost to the Irish Nation. After ten years we can truly say that the stance adopted at that time has been vindicated by developments. We sometimes hear criticisms of our ability to influence issues but in this instance any such doubts can be set aside. J B Moffatt (Mr) Director of Information Celtic League 31/03/15 (Please note that replies to correspondence received by the League and posted on CL News are usually scanned hard copies. Obviously every effort is made to ensure the scanning process is accurate but sometimes errors do occur) ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues Internet site at: (voir le site) (voir le site)