The Government is planning to commemorate the bicentenary of Catholic emancipation in 2029.

This aligns with the commitment given in the Program for Government to mark the 250th Anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell in 2025 and, following that, “the bicentenaries of some of the most pivotal moments in his career”.

Wicklow-Wexford Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne, who sought a specific commitment on marking the end to discrimination against Catholics in the nineteenth Century, said: “I believe strongly that we should mark this important social, political and religious historic milestone. “

In response to a parliamentary question from Deputy Byrne, Culture Minister Patrick O’Donovan said the 200th anniversary of the Catholic Emancipation Act in 2029 has been identified by the newly formed Commemorations Advisory Committee, chaired by former RTÉ newscaster Bryan Dobson, “as worthy of recognition and remembrance”.

“My Department will work with our project partners to develop a programme that will be shared in a Memorandum in due course. The aim will be to ensure that this anniversary is remembered appropriately, following the established commemorations framework”.