Irish historical commemoration to be held April 26 at Ripon College

Tuesday, April 26, will mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the Easter Rising, the beginning of the Irish War of Independence.

In commemoration of the anniversary, the Center for Politics and the People at Ripon College and freshman Christian Ryan of Caledonia, Wisconsin, will host an event at 5:30 p.m. in Kresge Little Theatre, East Hall, on the campus. It is free and open to the public.

Students will present speeches, texts and poems focusing on the Easter Rising, including speeches from the Irish revolutionaries Padraig Pearse and James Connolly, and poems by W.B. Yeats. There also will be discussion about Irish politics and the history of the Irish Free State, and a celebration of Irish heritage, Irish history, and the deep Irish-American relationship.