This article is from page 16 of the 2012-06-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
PLANS have been put forward to create an annual ‘Democracy Day’ that would celebrate landmark political moments in Ennis that helped shape the development of modern Ireland.
Ennis Town Council has said it would welcome the input of local historical societies into the proposal that would be centered on the election of Daniel O’Connell in Clare in 1828.
The proposal was raised at last week’s council meeting as members debated a motion put forward by Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG).
He proposed that the council put in place an event or commemoration on July 5 each year to mark the significant role played Ennis has played in the development of modern Ireland.
He stated, “On that date in 1828 the world’s first democratic, peaceful revolution resulted in the Liberator, Daniel O’Connell being proclaimed elected as a Catholic to represent Clare in the British Parliament. Voters, who as tenants in defiance of their landlord’s wishes, marched from all over the county to Ennis to cast their vote to challenge the rule by which Catholics were not allowed to hold a seat in Parliament.”
Cllr Flynn told the meeting that July 5 should be declared ‘Democracy Day’ in Ennis. He said the event could be a big success. He said he had been approached by local historians about the proposal.
Town manager Gerard Dollard said that while the idea is a positive one, the council did not currently have the funding or resources to do it justice.
Cllr Peter Considine (FF) also welcomed the proposal and suggested that a decision be deferred until the council’s budget estimates meeting later in the year.
Town clerk Leonard Cleary said any commemoration would depend heavily on the involvement of local historical groups.