Every single county in Ireland has a connection with the 1916 Rising. In an effort to explore these connections and stories, RTÉ, in partnership with Ireland 2016, embarked on an ambitious project to produce a series of one minute films or shorts – one for every county.
The one-minute films explore the individual connections with the events of 1916 in each county or a particular story around the county’s commemoration of Easter 1916. This initiative is dedicated to allowing each county tells its own story about how it was touched by this momentous turning point in Ireland’s history.
The films, which have been specially commissioned as part of Ireland 2016, the State programme to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising, will be broadcast across RTÉ One and RTÉ2 over the next four months. The films will also hit the big screen at 71 cinemas in the Republic of Ireland* by way of a 3-week cinema campaign which starts on Friday 18 March. They are also available to view on RTÉ Player and on RTÉ’s YouTube channel.
Speaking about the films Adrian Lynch, Channel Controller, RTÉ One, said: “We initially commissioned six films for our Road to the Rising series but when we saw how strong the films were we wanted to expand them to include every county in Ireland. Each film is different and gives a unique insight into the counties’ connection to 1916.”
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys said: “These short films provide a very personal and intimate look at how the Rising affected communities right across this country. While the Rising is often seen as a Dublin-based event, the reality is that families from every county were caught up in the dramatic events of Easter Week 1916. These short videos help to tell their story.”
Filmed over the past six months by five Irish directors the shorts feature everyday people reflecting on the Easter Rising. The Leitrim film pays tribute to Kiltyclogher native Sean MacDiarmada and sees locals reflecting on his contribution to the rising and to the local area. (http://bit.ly/1RSTYLZ)
The Longford film follows Eamon & Gabriel Creamer and the restoration of an old Ford Model T car which was used by Michael Collins and local volunteers Larry Kiernan, John Cawley and Paul Cusack. (http://bit.ly/1RfA7EC)
While five Donegal people, aged 104 down to just five-years-old reflect on their lives and how they differ from that of our ancestors. (https://www.youtube.com/
To find your county go to: http://www.rte.ie/player/
For more information on RTÉ 1916, in partnership with Ireland 2016, go towww.rte.ie/1916.
