December 6th 2021...Anglo Irish Treaty December 6th 1921

Here in Sacred Heart we began our Decade of Centenaries in 2016 when ,we as a school community, gathered to remember the events of the 1916 Rising. In 2019/2020 we remembered ,in our classroom  one hundred years since the outbreak of the War of Independence , followed by the Civil War . 

As we continue to commemorate The Decade of Centenaries ,it is important that we  make our history meaningful for everyone, in a way that supports and facilitates reflection and discussion about these transformative events.In doing so we are asked  to consider the values that we wish to preserve for the generations to come. 

December 6th was another significant date in our History.It marked the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which was signed in 10 Downing Street, London in the early hours of December 6th, 1921, leading to the creation of the modern Irish state

It was signed on the Irish side by delegates Arthur Griffith, Eamon Duggan, Robert Barton, George Gavan Duffy and Clonakilty man, Michael Collins.

The Treaty was widely welcomed in Ireland, Britain and around the world. It formally ended the War of Independence. It saw the handover of power to an independent Irish government ,and saw the withdrawal of British troops from most of Ireland.

These commemorations have been honoured by orations from people from different political backgrounds and beliefs, united by a shared love of our country and a belief in the promise and the potential of the future.

Part of  Michael’s Collins’ great legacy is that he showed us that while we should not be bound by the past, we can learn from it.

As we move forward may  our history  continue to challenge us, provoke us, and inspire us.

It would be great if students took  time to listen to SHSS Podcast  and the recent interview with Tim Crowley, a local historian who shares his thoughts on these  significant years in our history.

Thanks to Transition Year Students, Claire Foyle, Niamh Dineen and Adiba Akhter who marked this historical occasion by putting up a display on the History board on the upper social area.