Decade of Centenaries

The Decade of Centenaries Programme commenced in 2012 and focused initially on the many significant centenaries occurring over the period 2012–2016. The Programme complemented the ongoing programme of annual State commemorations with special centenary commemorative events on the anniversaries of key historical developments. The Programme has now concluded.

The Decade of Centenaries programme was both broad and inclusive, highlighting the economic and social conditions of the period, the shifts in cultural norms and the experience of the Irish abroad.

The programme, now complete,

• encompassed the different traditions on the island of Ireland;
• enhanced our understanding of and respect for events of importance;
• provided opportunities to focus on the everyday experience of ordinary people living in extraordinary times, as well as on the leaders and key actors in these events;
• offered fresh insights and constructive dialogue; and
• fostered deeper mutual understanding among people from the different traditions.

The programme provided an opportunity to focus on the development of access to historical records and primary sources from the time period, and for working with local and national cultural bodies to bring forward a series of exhibitions and public discussions.

The Department worked with stakeholders from representative bodies and the community and voluntary sector throughout, to facilitate commemorative initiatives under the programme.

The overall approach to planning and delivery of commemorations over the lifetime of the programme followed the principles set out in the Initial Statement by the Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations (2013) and the Second Phase Mission Statement of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations (2017) and the final phase of the programme was informed by the Guidance Report (2019) from this Group and consultation with the All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations.

This Programme was based on a four-strand approach comprising:

• a State Ceremonial Strand which comprised of a limited number of symbolic acts of national commemoration focusing on themes of remembrance and reconciliation and on the commemoration of all those who lost their lives during the historic period;
• an Historical Strand which comprised of a diverse range of activities designed to encourage authentic historical enquiry about the period and to promote the use of primary archival sources;
• a Community Strand, which involved a collaborative approach – similar to that adopted for the 1916 centenary commemorations – between the State, local authority network and community organisations, including in Northern Ireland when appropriate; and
• the Creative Imagination Strand which encouraged artistic and creative expression in remembrance of the significant historical events of the period and all of those who lost their lives.

The objective of the State centenary commemoration programme was to ensure that this complex period in our history was remembered appropriately, proportionately, respectfully and with sensitivity.

Publications related to the Programme and the membership and minutes of the meetings of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations (EAG) can be accessed here and the Commemorations Unit of the Department can be contacted at commemorations@tcagsm.gov.ie.