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Unveiled in 2016, the Garden of Remembrance in Springfield, Massachusetts Commemorates the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin

Garden of Remembrance, Springfield, MA. Courtesy of Springfield.gov
The Garden of Remembrance commemorating Ireland's uprising of 1916 was officially unveiled at Forest Park in Springfield, MA on Sunday, May 15, 2016. It was the first memorial in the United States to recognize the 100th anniversary of Ireland's Easter Rising of April, 1916, where Irish rebels attempted to overthrow British forces occupying Ireland.  Congressman Richard E. Neal and Mayor Domenic J. Sarno presided over the event and were joined by officials from the Irish community,

Garden of Remembrance, Springfield, MA. Courtesy of Springfield.gov
"The Easter Rising was a seminal moment in Irish history and it helped transform cities like Springfield and Boston," said Congressman Neal. "The Garden of Remembrance is a direct call to Ireland's exiled children in America, and the Proclamation is one of the few declarations of independence in the world that references both men and women equally. The Rising of 1916 led to the creation of the modern Irish state and it was heavily influenced many families who settled here in the City of Springfield and the surrounding communities. I strongly encourage everyone to take part in this weekend's exciting commemoration ceremonies. This is the first Garden of Remembrance to be completed in America, and its dedication will help strengthen the bonds between the western Massachusetts and Ireland."

The centerpiece of the Garden of Remembrance is a copy of the 1916 Proclamation calling for the establishment of an Irish Republic free from British rule.
Garden of Remembrance, Springfield, MA. Courtesy of Springfield.gov
"We are proud to be the first in the United States to construct the 1916 Gardens of Remembrance," said Mayor Domenic Sarno. "This garden represents the fabric of our community and the Pioneer Valley as the support for this garden has been tremendous. We encourage all of our citizens to join in the planned programs this weekend. We are honored to showcase our local talent, “Billy Egan and the Rising” and “Dee Reilly” who will provide a memorable evening. I look forward to honoring the local Irish organizations Saturday night; it is for their stewardship that has ensured their faith and family traditions have been passed through the generations. The Sunday commemoration ceremony will be a time to pay our respect to those who sacrificed to meet the aims of the Irish proclamation.”

As part of the centenary commemoration in 2016, a number of events were held in Massachusetts and through the United States. The Irish Government issued a 2016 Programme summarizing all of the activities.


Easter Rising Monument in Scituate, MA, Courtesy of SSIHT

In 2020, the Irish community in Scituate also unveiled a monument to the 1916 Irish Rising, with a repica of the 1916 proclamation. The plaque is part of the South Shore Irish Heritage Trail. 

For a historical perspective on Massachusetts' activities during the 1916 Uprising, read Michael Quinlin's story, Boston and the Irish Rising, in Irish America Magazine.

Research + Text, Michael Quinlin

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