Easter Rising:Anniversary/Standard bearers head the parade into Milltown Cemetery, Falls Road, BELFAST, for the graveside ceremony. 12/4/1966

INDH22E Easter Rising 1916: Troops being marched to barracks, 1916. Published 1916. (Part of the NPA/Independent Collection)

INDH22 Easter Rising 1916: Coliseum theatre, Henry Street, destroyed following the 1916 Rising. Published 1916. (Part of the NPA/Independent Collection)

GARDEN OF REMEMBERANCE OPENS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN APRIL 1966 IN CELEBRATION OF THE 50YRS ANNIVERSARY OF THE EASTER RISING

Library filer dated 11/05/1916 of a view of Sackville Street (O'Connell St) and the River Liffey at Eden Quay in Dublin, showing the devastation wrought during the Easter Rising. Celebrations will mark the event's 90th anniversary today. Sunday April 16, 2006.

Easter Rising:Anniversary/Standard bearers head the parade into Milltown Cemetery, Falls Road, BELFAST, for the graveside ceremony. 12/4/1966

INDH22C Easter Rising 1916: Ruins of Freeman Press and Telegraph, 1916. Published 1916. (Part of the NPA/Independent Collection)

Library filer dated 11/05/1916 of the damage wrought on Dublin's General Post Office during the Easter Rising. Celebrations will mark the event's 90th anniversary today. Sunday April 16, 2006.

INDH22A Easter Rising 1916: Head office of ITGWU, destroyed following the 1916 Rising. Published 1916. (Part of the NPA/Independent Collection)

Post Office Ruined...Soldiers inspect the interior of Dublin's General Post Office, viewing the complete destruction of the building after being shelled by the British during the Easter Rising 1916. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)...I

Scene from O'Connell Street in Dublin, during the Easter Rising in 1916

GPO in ruins 1916: Soldiers survey the interior of the post pffice in Sackville Street, Dublin, during the Easter Rising of 1916. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

A row has broken out over plans to hold a parade in Belfast next year to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

The march will be held on Easter Sunday, 2016 - 100 years on from the revolt by rebel forces against British rule in Ireland.

It is one of a series of events planned to commemorate the event. Other parades will be held in Dublin, Cork and Galway.

The march forms part of an alternative programme of events organised by Sinn Fein separate to the official plans drawn up by the Irish government.

However, it has brought criticism from unionists, who said it would glorify the deaths of soldiers and innocent civilians killed in the rising.

DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson accused Sinn Fein of double standards.

"Sinn Fein vigorously opposed the homecoming parade for the Royal Irish Regiment when they were returning to Northern Ireland after serving in Afghanistan," he said.

"And yet here we have Sinn Fein proposing a parade to mark the Easter Rising, when over 100 British soldiers were murdered in Dublin.

"I think it again calls into question the double standards that Sinn Fein operate."

The Easter Rising was a landmark event in the republican struggle for Irish independence.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness with actors in period costume at the 1916 Easter Rising event in Clifton House, Belfast, including Bartle D’Arcy (left), who is helping organise the centenary plans The Queen joined Irish President Mary McAleese to lay at wreath at the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square, Dublin Queen Elizabeth II during the wreath laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square, Dublin on the first day of her State Visit to Ireland. Maxwells 10th April 1939: Crowds march through the streets of Dublin to commemorate the Easter Rising, the armed uprising of Irish nationalists against British rule in Ireland. Getty Images Two Russian military officers during the commemoration to mark the 98th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising at the GPO in Dublin. Sunday April 20, 2014. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA President Michael D Higgins inspects a guard of honour during the commemoration to mark the 98th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising at the GPO in Dublin. Sunday April 20, 2014. Photo: Niall Carson/PA PA Library filer dated 10/06/1932 of Eamon De Valera on the steps of 10 Downing Street, London. British diplomats could not refrain from gloating over the absence of world leaders at the funeral of the Irish republican leader Eamon de Valera according to official papers made public Thursday December 29, 2005. Ireland's former prime minister and president, who had been jailed by the British after the 1916 Easter Rising, died in 1975 at the age of 92. Easter Rising:Anniversary/Standard bearers head the parade into Milltown Cemetery, Falls Road, BELFAST, for the graveside ceremony. 12/4/1966 / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness with actors in period costume at the 1916 Easter Rising event in Clifton House, Belfast, including Bartle D’Arcy (left), who is helping organise the centenary plans

Rebels mounted an armed insurrection in Dublin during Easter week 1916 in a failed bid to establish an independent Irish Republic.

The rising resulted in 450 deaths and the rebels' defeat. Most of the leaders were executed in the days that followed.

However, the rising is credited as a turning point in the quest for Irish independence. Speaking at yesterday's launch, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: "The Easter Rising is one of the great watershed moments in Irish history."

Mr McGuinness said the programme of events sought to be inclusive and would embrace and reflect all aspects of 1916.

"It is a first class programme of events which seeks to be inclusive and embrace and reflect all aspects of 1916 and its cultural, political, social and historical relevance to Ireland in 2016," said Mr McGuinness at the launch event in Clifton House in the north of the city.

"So our focus is on commemorating and celebrating the courage and vision of those who planned, led and participated in the Easter Rising almost 100 years ago."

Noting the colours of the Irish Tricolour, Mr McGuinness said: "The orange part of the flag is as important as the green and I think we are very proud to be part of that generation of Irish republicans that is prepared to appreciate that, is prepared to accept that as we face into difficult challenges."

Five other major commemorations are planned across Belfast.

In north Belfast an event will focus on Winifred Carney, a Bangor-born woman who was present during the occupation of the General Post Office. Other events are being planned to remember leading rebellion figures with northern links, including James Connolly, Sean McDermott and Charlie Monahan.

Belfast City Council will also hold a civic dinner, yesterday's launch heard.

Historian Tom Hartley, a former Sinn Fein Mayor of Belfast, said the rising was a "seminal moment" in Irish history.

Culture Minister Caral Ni Chuilin said the events of 1916 went beyond republicanism.

"The centenary of the Rising is of great importance to republicans but the events of 1916 are relevant today to all traditions and sections of society on this island and beyond," she said.

North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said: "The Easter Rising of 1916 set a revolutionary bushfire which was to engulf what was then a huge British Empire."

He added: "I think it's a fire still burning bright in the hearts of every single Irish republican."

Read More

Factfile

Events marking the Easter Rising include:

EASTER SATURDAY

Irish Citizen Army parade from Liberty Hall to St Stephen’s Green Garrison in Dublin.

EASTER SUNDAY

Nationwide Easter commemoration parades including Belfast, Dublin, Cork and Galway.

SUNDAY, APRIL 24

The biggest mobilisation of 2016 will see activists gather for an event entitled reclaim the vision of 1916’.

VARIOUS DATES

Dawn vigils outside Kilmainham Gaol on the anniversaries of the Easter Rising leaders’ executions.

THURSDAY, MAY 12

Series of events marking the life of James Connolly and the unveiling of a piece of public art.

SUNDAY, MAY 15

Arbour Hill oration and ceremony, marking 50 days from Easter Sunday, in honour of the executed leaders.

Belfast Telegraph