Print PageBeaumont celebrates Proclamation Day and the 1916 Rising (Mon 21st March)
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Today has been designated 'Proclamation Day' for schools in Ireland and our school in St Raphael’s Ward is no different. Some remarkable work has been underway in our very special school to celebrate the Centenary and teachers Avril Carey and Orla Fitzpatrick have brought out the talent and energy of the Children through a variety of avenues, including the preparations for today and the 1916 exhibition we have on view in the main concourse for all to see.
Considering that Beaumont Hospital opened in 1987 it would appear unlikely that it might have a link to the events of 1916, but the Hospital was established from the old Jervis Street and Richmond Hospitals both city centre hospitals, which had to deal with the many casualties of 1916.
So today we raised the tri-colour and the Proclamation was read. This stems from the recent Flags for School Government initiative where every primary school in the country was presented with the national flag by members of Oglaigh na hEireann and our school in St Raphae'ls was no exception. Thanks to Eoghan O’Sullivan, (Neuro admissions) in his capacity as Captain in the Army Reserve who raised the flag and read the Proclamation with the help of some of visiting children. Also thanks to Paul Leech, Senior Chef for playing the Uilleann Pipes during the event. Its great to celebrate the talents of our staff.
The exhibition in the foyer of the hospital showcases the fantastic work Avril, Orla and the Children have done in documenting much of the Rising and what Dublin was like around that time and is complimented by stories, pictures and memorabilia of our founding fathers – the Richmond and Jervis Street Hospitals and the RCSI as our academic partner.
So while Beaumont Hospital is only a few miles from the GPO and was built long after the rising it has its foundations in two great institutions which cared for Dublin’s citizens during what was a momentous but tragic period in Ireland’s history. Beaumont Hospital still carries the spirit of the doctors, nurses and staff who would go the extra mile to care for their patients.
Thanks to everyone who made this day a special one to remember.
