This year marks the centennial of the 1916 “Easter Rising” in Ireland against British rule, an event that itself marked the beginning of the Irish war for independence
As part of a city-wide series of events in Springfield commemorating the occasion, the Wood Museum of Springfield History is hosting a talk by Congressman Richard Neal titled “Reflections on the 100th Anniversary of Ireland’s 1916 Easter Rising.”
Neal’s perspective on the events of April, 1916 — and on the reaction of Springfield’s Irish population during the same time period — derives from his three decades as a member of the U.S. House of Representative, during which he dedicated much of his attention to U.S.–Ireland relations, including maintaining American involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process.
Neal’s talk on Sunday at 1 p.m. is in conjunction with the new exhibit at the Wood Museum, “Easter Rising: Springfield’s Response to the Irish Rebellion of 1961,” which runs through May 22. springfieldmuseums.org