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Easter Rising Exhibition Opens in Ireland

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern helped open a new exhibition on the 1916 "Easter Rising" recently, commemorating the militarily unsuccessful rebellion staged in Ireland against British rule on Easter Monday in April 1916. The 1916 Rising is seen as a key turning point on the long road to Irish independence, as it marked a split between physical-force republicanism and mainstream non-violent nationalism represented by the Irish Parliamentary Party.

Ahern told Irish citizens they must begin a ?great national conversation on what it means to be Irish, on the values we hold and cherish?. The Easter Rising exhibition looks at the main events of Easter week, 1916, as well as the wider historical context, from the Dublin Lockout of 1913 to the end of the Civil War in 1923.

An original copy of the Proclamation of Independence, donated to the Museum last month, occupies a central position in the exhibition. Prime Minister Ahern also stated that next Sunday`s commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising will be an expression of the country`s pride at its achievements and a celebration of its egalitarian ideals.