Apparently the UK Government was afraid of hurting the feelings of Irish Catholics.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of life in Ireland in the intervening time, it's still the anniversary of the founding of our country.
What other country would fail to celebrate its 200th anniversary?
The USA and France had big celebrations; Australia celebrated its 100th anniversary on 1st January 2001.
The founding was at a momentous time, driven by the events in Europe caused by Napoleon.
The state had to evolve rapidly, creating Income Tax to pay for all the new state apparatus, such as a professional army, the first census (1801), the Ordnance Survey...