Here's our school Proclamation For A New Generation. Today is Proclamation Day in schools, colleges and universities across Ireland.
Irishmen and Irishwomen, boys and girls, new and aspiring citizens, at home and abroad:
At 12.45pm, on 24 April 1916, Padraig Pearse read the Proclamation of Independence from the steps of the GPO in Dublin City Centre. In this centenary year of the Easter Rising, our new Proclamation draws inspiration from that document.
Like the brave men and women of 1916 who fought for a better Ireland, we, the pupils of St John the Baptist BNS in Cashel, the City of the Kings, dream of and aspire to an Éire níos fearr.
In doing so, we acknowledge the progress made over the past 100 years but know that much more has to be done to make our country the best that it can be for all of its people.
We believe these seven actions, one for each of the original signatories, will help us achieve that better Ireland for everyone.
We must always do our best to be kind and respectful to each other - “Help old people cross the road.” “Don’t treat somebody badly because they look or act differently to you.”
We must do more as global citizens to be better custodians of our natural environment - “Be kind to animals.” “Protect our beautiful green country.” “Take global warming more seriously.”
We must redouble our efforts to ensure nobody who lives in our country is hungry, homeless and that the sick are treated with dignity - “Give your old toys to other children if they need them.” “Everyone has the right to a roof over their heads.” “No patients on trollies in hospitals.”
We must respect and preserve our Irish language & culture - “We should be much prouder of the uniqueness of our native language and culture.” “Let’s continue to be a country of music, story & song.”
The “happiness and prosperity of the whole nation” is influenced by how seriously we promote and fund the physical and mental well-being of our people - “Don’t spend too much time on the screen.” “Grow and eat healthy food that’s not too sugary.” “Drink less alcohol.”
Education must be funded appropriately and seen as a priority spending area by our government - “Cap on class sizes with a maximum of 25 in any class.” “We need better facilities and resources to prepare us for the challenges of the 21st century.”
A united Ireland remains a reasonable & worthy aspiration, but we greatly cherish living in a diverse, colourful and peaceful country where differences can be a sign of strength and not division - “Ireland has 32 counties. It would be nice to have them all together.” “Let’s move on, united, north and south.”
We are proud of Ireland and its people, and pledge to play our part so that all of us can enjoy a good and happy life. Ta obair le déanamh againn uile.
Ar aghaidh linn le chéile.
