February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Andrew Bushe
DUBLIN — Republicanism is a radical social philosophy that should continue to inspire us, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said when he opened the restored family home of 1916 leaders Padraig and William Pearse.
The house, at 27 Pearse St., will serve as the headquarters of the Ireland Institute, chaired by Sunday Business Post Editor Damien Kiberd, which will promote the development of modern republican thinking.
The taoiseach pointed out that, as a strong admirer of the courage and vision of Padraig Pearse, he kept his portrait hanging behind his desk in Government Buildings.
"The Republican ideal, nobly set out, not only in the Easter Proclamation but in many other writings as well, still means a lot to Irish people, who see in it the core of a sane, democratic national philosophy, which no country can do without," Ahern said.
He said his presence at the opening underlined the fact that Republicanism is not something "out there on the political fringes.
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"It is, however imperfectly implemented, a mainstream political force in this State, and arguably what gives it its constitutional cohesion," he said.