Press Release<br />
<br />
Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht<br />
<br />
<br />
State marks centenary of O&rsquo;Donovan Rossa funeral, First State commemoration to be held as part of the<br />
Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme.<br />
<br />
President Michael D. Higgins will today (Saturday) lead the official State commemoration of the centenary of the funeral of Jeremiah O&rsquo;Donovan Rossa in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin.<br />
<br />
The event, which is being hosted by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, is the first formal State commemoration being held as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme.  <br />
<br />
An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D. who will also attend, said, &ldquo;Jeremiah O&rsquo;Donovan Rossa was an iconic figure in Irish history.  Even one hundred years after his death his name is synonymous with the Fenians and with Irish Nationalism.  The liberation of his country became his life&rsquo;s ambition.  His funeral remains one of the pivotal moments in Irish history and was an occasion that would be hugely instrumental in shaping the future of our nation.&rdquo;<br />
<br />
Minister Humphreys added:<br />
&ldquo;Today marks the official start of the ceremonial calendar in our Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, which is leading up to the commemoration of the 1916 Rising in Easter of next year. The funeral of Jeremiah O&rsquo;Donovan Rossa, which took place here in Glasnevin Cemetery 100 years ago today, acted as a catalyst in the lead up to the Rising. The now famous graveside oration, given by P&aacute;draig Pearse, left a lasting impact and travelled far beyond the confines of this cemetery. <br />
<br />
&ldquo;Over the coming year, we will hold more than 40 State events as we commemorate the events of 1916, consider our achievements over the last 100 years, and look ambitiously to the future. The funeral of O&rsquo;Donovan Rossa was a milestone in Irish history and its impact on the mood and motivations of those in attendance cannot be underestimated. Ireland 2016 is a wide programme of events which will be underpinned by appropriate and r