Bridgetown community mark 100th anniversary of first Dáil
STUDENTS from Bridgetown college gathered with local historians, businesses and the community youth services to mark a major moment in Irish history as they celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first Dáil.
The landmark event was marked in style by the local community with music, historical lectures and dramatic presentations in the FDYS Centre in the village in front of a full house.
Local councillor Mick Roche said it was wonderful to see such a community effort to mark what was a seminal moment in Irish history.
‘It was fantastic to see a community, non partisan event like this organised and executed at a grassroots level and led by young people,’ he said.
‘While politicians and the elite gathered in a glitzy, sealed off Mansion House, this event was free and open to all, and was delivered mainly by young students with a keen interest and pride in their heritage.’
One of the organisers behind the event, local bookshop owner Wally O’Neill, thanked Bridgetown College and the FDYS for all their hard work. ‘The dramatic presentations delivered by incredibly articulate young people, and the music performed by the college band, was extremely professional and every bit as poignant as anything played out in the Mansion House on the centenary day,’ he said.
As well as presentations from the students, local historians Jim Codd, Aideen Hassett, Willie Considine, Kieran O’Brien and Kieran Moore discussed everything from the first Dáil to the War of Independence.