On Easter Sunday 10th April 1966, the Official Ceremony to mark the Golden Jubilee of the 1916 Easter Rising began with a military parade attended by 600 veterans of the Rising on O’Connell Street Dublin with at least 200,000 spectators gathered in the city centre. President Eamon de Valera took the salute. Later that Sunday, the President laid a wreath at Kilmainham Gaol and opened the museum there.
On Easter Sunday night, Telefís Éireann now four years old screened the first half hour part of “Insurrection” a series written by Hugh Leonard. The series was shown over eight days. The station also broadcast two pageants which were specifically written for the Golden Jubilee commemorations. “Seachtar Fear, Seacht Lá” was commissioned by the GAA and staged in Croke Park on St. Patrick’s Day and again on the following two days. It was also performed in Casement Park, Belfast during Easter Week. The cast of almost 400 included the Artane Boy’s Band and two other Pipe Bands.
The second “Aiséirí” by Tomás MacAnna had a large cast of over eighty speaking roles drawn mainly from the ranks of Raidio Éireann Players and the Abbey Theatre. The Defence Forces provided 300 members for the battle scenes and a further 200 extras were required for the series. The production took eight months and over 300 scenes.
On Easter Monday, churches held religious ceremonies to mark the Golden Jubilee and at midday the President opened the Garden of Remembrance at Parnell Square. A commemorative concert “A Terrible Beauty is Born” composed by Brian Boydell was aired on Raidió Éireann from the Gaiety Theatre. New statues were erected in Dublin City and around the country. CIE renamed major Railway Stations after 1916 leaders and Dublin buses bore the commemorative emblem adopted by the Government, “The Sword of Light” [Claíomh Solais].
Colour film of commemoration events held in Dublin and around the country to mark the Golden Jubilee of the 1916 Easter Rising can be viewed at the RTE Archives Here
The following items issued for the Golden Jubilee form part of my collection
On 12th April 1966, the Central Bank of Ireland issued into circulation a Silver Ten Shilling Commemorative Coin to mark the 50th Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. The coin designed by Thomas Humphrey Paget was 83.5% silver and 16.5% copper. The obverse features a bust portrait of Pádraig Pearse and the outer periphery has the legend Eire and the year of issue 1966. The reverse features a sculpture of the Irish mythical hero Cuchuláin by Oliver Sheppard. This sculpture is displayed in the GPO. The Silver Ten Shilling Coin is unique in being the only modern Irish coin before the introduction of the Euro not to feature the harp on the obverse side. The coin is also the only Irish coin to feature an inscription on the edge until the Irish Euro coins. This inscription is “Eirí Amach na Casca 1916.”
The Central Bank of Ireland also minted a cased set of nine coins including the Silver Ten Shilling Commemorative Coin to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. The other coins in the set were; Farthing, Half-Penny, Penny, Three Pence, Six Pence, Shilling, Florin and Half Crown. The farthing which had by this time been withdrawn was minted again especially for this Commemorative Set.
The Silver Ten Shilling Commemorative Coin was also issued in a Special Presentation Case by all the major Irish Banks.
Thomas O’Connor & Sons Silver Medallion
A hallmarked silver medallion in its original green case issued by Thomas O’Connor & Sons of Harold’s Cross, Dublin. The obverse shows the GPO in flames and the text “Aiséirí na Cásca 1916-1966” and the reverse the signatories of the Proclamation.
Paul Vincze Silver Coin
Commemorative Medal
This medal is known as the Pearse Oration Medal. The quotation on the reverse says “Ireland Unfree Shall Never Be At Peace” Padraic mac Piarais, Poet, Author and Patriot. Commander in Chief of Republican Army Easter 1916. Beneath in small lettering is Gaelic-“An Iodail Tir a dheanta” which translates as Made in Italy.
Sword of Light Pin
Pen Holder
A pen holder showing the mythical warrior Cuchulain by Oliver Sheppard. It was reproduced under licence from the Commissioners of Public Works.
Silver 1916-1966 spoon showing the Sword of Light emblem
Silver 1916-1966 spoon produced by the Newbridge Cutlery Company.
The Sword of Light emblem is on the reverse
On 12th April 1966, An Post issued a set of Commemorative Stamps and First Day Covers to mark the Golden Jubilee of the 1916 Easter Rising. Designed by Raymond Kyne and printed by Hely Thom Limited, they feature images of the GPO and the Seven Signatories of the Proclamation with profiles of each in Irish and English.
This set of eleven postcards were printed and published by Irish Art Publications LTD, Dublin to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the 1916 Easter Rising.
Pádraig Pearse Maxi Card
Cuimhneachán 1916-1966
This book produced by the Department of External Affairs includes numerous photographs and details of the commemorative events held for the Golden Jubilee. The publication also includes information on the actions of the Battalions of the Dublin Brigade of the Irish Volunteers and of the Citizen Army as well as the surrender and the executions and imprisonments.
Oidhreacht 1916-1966
A bilingual commemorative booklet in English and Irish produced by Arna Fhoilsiú ag Oifig an tSoláthair. It tells the story of the Easter Rising and includes images of the Seven Signatories of the Proclamation.
Liberty Magazine March 1966
This 32-page magazine published by the Irish Transport and General Workers Union includes; Part One of a biography of James Connolly by his daughter Ina Connolly-Heron and the story of how the previously unpublished photograph of James Connolly featured on the front cover of the magazine was acquired by the Union.
Liberty Magazine April 1966
A 52-page 1916 Commemorative Issue published by the Irish Transport and General Workers Union and includes; Part Two of a biography of James Connolly by his daughter Ina Connolly-Heron and Connolly and the Rising
A further selection of my Irish Collectables and Memorabilia which is a work in progress can be viewed here
Remembering The 1916 Rising 