Specially developed by Irish landscape artist Diarmuid Gavin and Senator Mark Daly, the first 1916 Garden of Remembrance in Ireland was opened in Raheen Co. Laois in April 2014 by local students and community groups.

The 1916 Gardens of Remembrance are a nationwide initiative in Ireland and for the Irish Diaspora, designed to ensure public engagement on a local and global level to recognise the centenary celebrations of the 1916 Easter Rising.

‘Glór na Cásca” are behind the Gardens of Remembrance Initiative. The group comprises of members from all political parties along with trade union, cultural and Irish language representatives and descendants of those who were involved in the 1916 Easter Rising.

Senator Daly, a member of the Government’s All Party Consultation Group on Commemorations and spokesperson for the Irish Overseas and Diaspora said that Springfield shares many connections with Ireland, “so I am delighted that it is the first city in America to install their 1916 Garden of Remembrance”.

Seven garden templates have been designed by Gavin with each garden containing three elements; seven trees to represent the seven signatures of the proclamation, a replication of the 1916 proclamation and an Irish Flag.

Senator Mark Daly and Diarmuid Gavin at the launch of the 1916 Gardens of Remembrance project.