Surviving son of executed leader praises 'unselfish act'

Relatives: Several hundred descendants of those who participated in the 1916 Rising attended yesterday's events.

They included Fr Joe Mallin, the only surviving child of any of the executed leaders, as well as many later-generation relatives, including Government Ministers Michael McDowell, Éamon Ó Cuív and Síle de Valera, and former taoisigh Garret FitzGerald and Liam Cosgrave.

All of those who spoke to The Irish Times at a reception in Dublin's Gresham Hotel after the event were positive about the way the 90th anniversary of the Rising had been marked. There was little support, however, for an annual commemoration, with most people saying the next big event should be held in 2016.

Fr Mallin, son of Comdt Michael Mallin, who was executed for his role in the Rising, said it was clear a lot of preparatory work had gone into the ceremony.

At 92, Fr Mallin travelled specially from Hong Kong to attend the ceremony.

He was two when his father was executed in Kilmainham Gaol on May 8th, 1916.

"1916 was an unselfish act that gave us our freedom, but not just for ourselves. If we keep it for ourselves, then we are being selfish."

For that reason, it was good to see the overseas work of the Army being highlighted, said Fr Mallin, a Jesuit, who earlier visited Kilmainham Gaol.

Brothers Austin and Rossa Ó Briain, grandsons of Cathal Brugha, said they were "very proud" of the way the anniversary had been marked.

While both men attend the annual anniversary Mass in Arbour Hill, they didn't think there was a need for a large-scale commemoration every year.

For Paddy Cummins, yesterday's events were reminiscent of John F Kennedy's visit in 1963. "People need their hearts lifted, and it happened again today, just as it did when JFK came to Ireland."

Mr Cummins's wife's relatives fought in the War of Independence, while his own father was a member of the Dublin Fusiliers, who helped to put down the Rising. He was a Fianna Fáil TD in the 1950s.

"I just thank God I was alive to see what happened today. It was a tremendous effort that highlighted the good job the Army does, and there was lovely weather too."

Having attended the 1916 commemoration yesterday, Mr Cummins plans to travel to the Somme in September to participate in ceremonies devoted to Tom Kettle, the Irish poet who died fighting for the British army.

Bridget Ashe, from Straffan, said the event was very dignified and she loved "every minute of it". Her husband's uncle, Thomas Ashe, fought in 1916 and died a year later on hunger strike.

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon Ó Cuív described the event as "a great day" for which the public had come out in huge numbers.

Mr Ó Cuív, grandson of Éamon de Valera, said the parade highlighted the wider role of the Defence Forces at home and abroad. As well as defending the national territory, they were involved in activities such as bomb disposal, diving and rescue services and the interception of drugs smuggling, while internationally they had a leading role in peacekeeping. Mr Ó Cuív described 1916 as "the seminal moment" when the creation of a Republic became a realistic possibility. Before then, limited Home Rule was as far as people could dream.