Republican News · Thursday 17 July 2003

Bastille Day celebrated in Dublin for first time since 1803

ROBERT EMMET BICENTENARY

On Sunday 13 July the people of Dublin were treated to an impressive parade of hundreds of marching Pikepeople who were commemorating both Bastille Day (albeit a day early) and the 1803 Robert Emmet Rising. The last time Bastille Day was publicly celebrated in Dublin was in 1803, when the United Irishmen gathered in Smock Alley and Coal Quay (now Wood Quay). This was seen as subversive by the crown forces and a major riot followed, alerting the authorities to the possibility of further unrest. At the time, Emmet was finalising his plans for his abortive Rising, which he launched on 23 July 1803.

Because of the above link, also because the United Irishmen were inspired by the ideals of "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" from the French Revolution and because of French support in the 1798/1803 period, the Robert Emmet Association decided to focus on Bastille Day as a key event. (The Association is voluntary and has members from all parties and none. Sinn Féin's Aengus Ó Snodaigh helped set up the Association in early 2001). The Association convened the first Bastille Day Committee Meeting in October 2002 and drew in representatives from the French Embassy, Dublin City Council and South Inner City Community Development Association (SICCDA), who organise the annual Liberties Festival.

Following months of meetings and planning, the committee decided that the Pikepeople Parade through Dublin would be the most appropriate way of honouring Emmet and his comrades while also celebrating Bastille Day. In order to create a French "flavour", Dublin City Council organised the French Market in Smithfield from Thursday 11 July, which ran until Sunday 13. This gave a good "lead-in" to the main event and there was a carnival atmosphere in Smithfield as the "Pikers" assembled from lunchtime onwards. (Smithfield had been the gathering point for the United Irishmen in Dublin in the 1798 Rebellion but because most of the leaders had been arrested days before, they failed to mobilise and the Rebellion didn't happen in Dublin.)

The Parade was led by the Lord Mayor and followed by the Fire Brigade Band and a delegation of French Naval Officers. Then came the ranks of the footsoldiers with their fearsome eight-foot-long pikes, marching behind their respective parish banners. There were groups from Dublin, Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny and predominantly Wexford. They were greeted warmly by the people of Dublin as they progressed through the streets.

The parade made its way to O'Connell St, College Green and Christchurch before stopping at St Catherine's (the site of Emmet's execution), where they were joined by a large pageant of children from the Liberties in period costume. The French Ambassador, Gabriel de Bellescize, laid a wreath, as did Richard Roche, former Chairperson of the Robert Emmet Association. Richard was also involved in the Robert Emmet Society when it was reformed in the 1960s.

After that, it moved through Pimlico and the Coombe before reaching St Patrick's Cathedral for an Ecumenical Service. The sight of so many different strands of Irish people commemorating one of our great republicans brought Wolfe Tone's ideal of "uniting all Irishmen - Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter" to mind.

The gathering then moved into St Patrick's Park, where the Garda Band played the Marseillaise and Amhrán na bhFiann. Emmet Association Secretary Diarmuid Coogan called on Brian Cleary to address the marchers and members of the public.

Philip Emmet, who is a lineal descendant of Thomas Addis Emmet (Robert's brother) spoke on behalf of the Emmet family. It is remarkable that after 200 years, Philip bears a striking resemblance to his illustrious ancestors. Ambassador de Belescize then thanked those concerned for celebrating Bastille Day in such numbers and referred to the important historic links between France and Ireland. He then declared the "Emmet 200" Liberties Festival open.

Mattie Murphy of the Shelmalier Pikegroup then gave a rousing rendition of Boolavogue, and Barry Gleeson of Dublin sang The Bold Robert Emmet.

Diarmuid Coogan then drew proceedings to a close, noting that it would be a fitting legacy of the Emmet Bicentenary Year if Bastille Day was to become a fixture in the Dublin City Council calendar of events.

OTHER ROBERT EMMET EVENTS:

Friday 18 July Anne Devlin Conference, Guinness Storehouse, 10am.

Friday 18 July Robert Emmet Exhibition opens in Kilmainham Gaol. (This will run until September.)

Monday 21 July Book launches in Kilmainham Gaol at 7pm, Robert Emmet and the Rebellion of 1798 and Robert Emmet and the Rising of 1803, both by Dr.Ruan O'Donnell

Wednesday 23 July Book launch in National Library, Kildare St, at 6pm, Remember Emmet; his life and legacy, by Dr Ruan O'Donnell.

Friday 25 July Anne Devlin Hedge School in the Pearse Museum, St.Enda's Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, 7pm. (This will be opened by Justice Susan Denham and will continue on Saturday 26 July at 10am, Adm §20)

For further information on the Bicentenary Year, contact the Robert Emmet Association at 01/6776593, Emmet200@eircom.net, www.emmet200.com or 27 Pearse St, Dublin 2.

Support the Robert Emmet Association by joining for §20 (includes 1803 Proclamation) or by buying the 1803 Proclamation for §12 (incl p&p).