Call For British-Irish WWI Commemoration

A report has called for a joint British-Irish approach to commemorating the First World War.

The findings were presented to a meeting of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly in Glasgow.

Report author Frank Feighan TD said: "2012 is the first year in a decade which sees a number of very significant anniversaries in Irish and British history.

"These include the centenaries of the introduction of the Third Home Rule Bill in Westminster, the Home Rule Crisis and the signing of the Ulster Covenant, the formation of the Ulster Volunteer Force, the Dublin Lockout, the establishment of the Irish Volunteers (which is considered the birth of the Irish Defence forces, Oglaigh na hEireann), the outbreak of the First World War, the Easter Rising of 1916, the War of Independence, the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, and the partition of Ireland.

"These momentous events changed the course of Irish history and relations between the peoples of our islands for the rest of the century."

But Mr Feighan warned: "Commemoration of the past presents dangers. Risks exist that certain groups will attempt to exploit the anniversaries in a way which further divides us, undermining the progress achieved in recent years.

"If history makes us who we are, surely a sensitive and inclusive examination of our shared past might serve to deepen mutual understanding between different people and communities, and to foster the ongoing process of reconciliation on the island of Ireland, and between our islands."

One of the key recommendations in the report is to establish a cross-border educational initiative to arrange exchanges and the teaching of the history of a particular anniversary.

The committee said it was pleased at the peaceful passing commemoration of the Ulster Covenant last month. Mr Feighan said a lot could be learned from the manner in which the sensitive event was managed.

(IT)