State-led commemoration at Derrynane House marks 250th Anniversary of Birth of Daniel O’Connell
- Published on: 6 August 2025
- Last updated on: 6 August 2025
- Minister O’Donovan hosts event
- Keynote address by Taoiseach Micheál Martin
The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD today (Wednesday, 6 August 2025) hosted the State-led commemoration at Derrynane House, Caherdaniel, County Kerry, to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell, ‘The Liberator’.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD gave the keynote address at the event and other speakers included the Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Michael Foley and Minister Kevin Moran TD, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation with responsibility for the Office of Public Works.
The event included a formal State-led ceremony, alongside a rich cultural programme featuring spoken word, music, and family reflections inspired by O’Connell’s legacy. Derrynane House, O’Connell’s home and a place of great symbolic importance, served as a fitting and picturesque backdrop for the commemoration.
The event honoured the extraordinary life, legacy, and vision of one of Ireland’s most influential political leaders and human rights campaigners. Daniel O’Connell’s pioneering work in non-violent political activism and his tireless advocacy for Catholic Emancipation left a profound mark not only on Irish history, but the world.
Speaking at the event, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:
Today, as we gather at Derrynane House to commemorate the life and legacy of Daniel O’Connell, we are reminded not only of the immense contributions of ‘The Liberator’ to Irish democracy and civil rights, but also of the power of community, past and present.
Commemorative events like this are vital acts of remembrance, where we come together to honour those who shaped our nation and to reflect on the values that unite us still. It is through community, solidarity, and shared history that we find strength and inspiration for the future.
Minister O’Donovan said:
My role as Minister with responsibility for Commemorations is to support the creation of interesting ways for us all to engage with the events and personalities of the past. We have repeatedly been shown through commemorative programming - the true value and power that can come from remembering - from reflecting on the people and the events that have shaped us and this nation.
The world can be a turbulent place, and it can appear to be worsening. Daily we see breaches in civil rights, famine and wars. We can draw strength from our past. We can remember what we have already overcome, we can look to the example of O’Connell - what one man was capable of achieving through peaceful means, and how his success motivated so many others in the global pursuit of civil rights and democratic reform.
Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD, Minister of State for the Office of Public Works added:
I am delighted to welcome all those attending today and the audiences watching nationally and abroad to the picturesque grounds of Derrynane House. I wish to acknowledge the contribution from my department team who have so professionally facilitated the celebration of this significant anniversary.
In the OPW we are proud to call ourselves the custodians of our national heritage and historic properties and it is our privilege to manage and preserve Derrynane, the house and grounds that inspired O’Connell throughout his life. We will ensure that this tangible legacy will continue to inspire and educate visitors about our national hero for years to come.
Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr. Michael Foley, said:
As Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council I am privileged to welcome the State-led Commemorative event to Derrynane House to serve as an act of national remembrance and to celebrate our local hero, Daniel O’Connell.
It is so important for local communities to be able to appropriately mark significant historical events and anniversaries specific to their locality and their community. Today, in Cahersiveen the O’Connell 250 Committee are also hosting a full programme of events with support from Kerry County Council and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. This highlights the true value of collaborative commemorations, with both programmes complementing and enriching the other.
While this may be a State-led event it is, at its heart, about community. I want to thank all those who have made this event possible and to congratulate our local performers and creatives who have given of their talents and expertise- they have showcased the county at its very best.
This event forms part of the State’s commitment to inclusive, respectful, and imaginative commemorations that engage the public with Ireland’s rich and complex history.
Further details about other events in the Daniel O’Connell Commemorative Programme can be found here or on the Department’s social media channels in the coming weeks.
ENDS