The 1916 Rising memorial area / Limistéar Cuimhneacháin 1916

In 1955, the parade ground, the school yard and the old cemetery were amalgamated to create a large memorial area at Arbour Hill. Designed by Gerry McNicholl of the Office of Public Works, the memorial area features a curved wall of Ardbraccan limestone with a gilded cross in the centre. The 1916 proclamation is inscribed on the wall in both Irish and English and was carved by artist Michael Biggs, taking four years to complete., The burial plot is bordered by a limestone surround on which the names of the executed leaders are inscribed in Irish and English. Another memorial plaque, created in 1966 for the fiftieth anniversary of the 1916 Rising, lists the names of some others who fell on the Republican side during the Rising. The plaque was unveiled by President Éamon de Valera., In 1963, President John F. Kennedy visited Ireland, and laid a wreath at the base of the new memorial wall, the first head of state to do so., [Photo/illustration captions (in yellow box) read] , (right) On the 28th of June 1963, John F. Kennedy, as President of the United States, placed a wreath on the burial plot of the executed leaders of the 1916 Rising. He later recalled, "for me the highlight was the ceremony at Arbour Hill... those cadets were terrific"., (below and right) Curved limestone wall with a gilded cross and the text of the proclamation, carved by Michael Biggs (1928-1993). Biggs was a sculptor who specialised in the cutting of inscriptions. Amongst his other work was the inscription on the pedestal of the Thomas Davis statue in College Green and the commemorative tablet at the GPO., (below centre and top) Gerry McNicholl's original drawing for the proposed memorial area at Arbour Hill (1953)., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . ,