2016 is set
to be a big year for commemoration to mark the centenary of Easter Rising and Battle of the Somme.
There can’t be any doubt about the massive significance of both events and, as
we ponder the valour and the futility, the manner of commemoration will be
under the spotlight.
On New Year’s Day the Irish Government straight
away set the stage for 2016 with the Peace Proms at Dublin’s impressive National Convention
Centre. The concert by the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland was sheer entertainment:
superbly choreographed and impeccably delivered by the orchestra; guest soloists,
dancers and pipers. This was a stage
show clearly ‘orchestrated’ to emphasise government
strategy for a year ahead of sensitive all-inclusive commemoration.
On stage
with the orchestra were a choir of 300 spirited children, carefully selected
from across Ireland to
include pupils from state schools in Northern Ireland: in other words to
include Ulster Protestants. I was also engaged as a Lambeg drummer for this
event, as was Michelle Johnston and two of her Scottish Highland Dancers. As on
two previous occasions when the orchestra had engaged me, for concerts in Rome and at the Royal
Albert Hall, my Lambeg was highlighted in a sprightly rendition of King Billy’s
March.
Ireland’s culture minister with a good Ulster name, Heather Humphreys, gave an
impressive speech at the start of the concert and eloquently articulated the
government’s determination that the 2016 Commemorations will be as much about
the sacrifice of Irish soldiers at the Battle of
the Somme as it will be about the Easter
Rising. Yes, the juggling skills of Irish politicians are set to be tested.
On the one
hand there is the clear desire by many across the island of Ireland
to reignite the ancient passion for battle: to bring to completion the plot of
the 1916 martyrs. In the same vein, the same patriots still resent the enormous
role of Irish soldiers in Britain’s
wars. They may fear they were upstaged on New Year’s Day and perhaps they were.
On the other
hand relationships across community, across border, and across the Irish Sea have never been better: relationships that are
crucial for economic and social stability.
No one, other than those who seek glory or political opportunity in
rekindling past divisions, will want to be blamed for spoiling that plot.
And of
course the challenges for 2016 will not end with Easter Rising and Somme centenary commemoration. On top of all that there
will be the EURO 2016 football finals in France
in June and, amazingly, both the Republic and Northern Ireland have qualified. They
have managed to avoid each other in the first stages of the competition in France but the
excellent character of both teams could see them both advancing and potentially
being drawn against each other.
The grand
finale of the Peace Proms at the Convention Centre on New Year’s Day was a
rousing rendition of ‘Ireland’s
Call’. I was busy blattering away on my
Lambeg drum for this, so I couldn’t hear too much, but it looked as if all
2,000 audience members were standing up and blasting out the words of this
emotive anthem with as much volume and passion as Irish rugby fans at the Aviva
Stadium. ‘Ireland’s Call’ written by Phil
Coulter, was originally designed to be appropriate for rugby fans from both traditions,
and it seems to work.
Football
fans don’t have that luxury however as there are two national teams,
representing the two political entities on the island, and there has
historically been serious animosity between the two sets of fans.
As a Northern Ireland
football fan I would have to say that I would be optimistic about positive
developments this year. I would be hopeful that the good-will established on
New Year’s Day will rub-off and help transform the somewhat venomous rivalry of
the past into good-natured sporting rivalry in 2016. The significance of this could be massive and
even exceed the hopes and goals of political leaders such as Minister
Humphries.
In the
meantime the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland, with brilliantly dynamic new conductor
Greg Beardsell, will continue to warm the souls of audiences while spreading its
positive message around the island. Watch out for their Belfast concert at the Odyssey on February 28th.
So, here’s hoping for an exciting and peaceful
revolution in 2016.
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