IARO PRODUCTIONS

On Galway Bay FM
Monday 28th March - Friday 1st April from 11.25am
on the keith Finnegan Show

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Listen to the podcast here

REVISITING THE RISING
The 1916 rising was the seminal event in the establishment of the Irish State. Every child in the land could recite the names of the seven signatories of the Proclamation. Most of us know the actual events of the rising, itself, and its tragic climax. However little is known of the men themselves and practically nothing is known of the women at the centre of the event. This production sets out to turn the traditional treatments on their head. While dealing accurately with the events we look in depth at the mood and atmosphere of the city during the years leading up to the rebellion. We look intently at the tiny bohemian community of writers, artists, poets and intellectuals that developed around The Abbey Theatre in its early years. These men and women formed a radical vision of a communal Gealicised Ireland, took control of the Fenian dominated IRB, The Irish Volunteers and who launched in Easter 1916 the most violent revolt since 1798.

The story is told in drama form over five episodes, each of 25 minutes duration. The dramatis personae features Pearse, Plunkett, MacDonagh, Constance Markviecz, Micheal Collins, James Connolly, Jim Larkin and sisters Grace, Nelly. Muriel, Sydney (John) and their mother Isabella Gifford. The drama is centred on the activities of Nelly and Grace Gifford and the growing physical and spiritual intimacy between Grace and Joe Plunkett which culminated in their marriage in Kilmainham jail hours before his execution.