Shadows of the Rising – Writing and Drama Competition
Lord Mayor of Dublin to unveil ‘Easter 1916’ painting in Docklands
“Shadows of the Rising” – a Sean O’Casey Theatre writing & drama competition will also be announced
The East Wall History Group, in conjunction with the Sean O’Casey Theatre will hold a 1916 Rising commemorative event on Wednesday evening.
A new painting by artist Eilish Lynch will be unveiled by Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke.
They Did Us Proud – Painting by Eilish Lynch unveiled by Lord Mayor of Dublin, Christy Burke
The painting is a representation of the 1916 Rising and Independence struggle. The artist’s family were participants – her Father and Mother were members of the Irish Citizen Army, while her Uncle Sean Hunter was in the Irish Republican Army. Her father, Christy Crothers, was 14 years old when he served in the Stephens Green Garrison, but was sent home by Countess Markievicz due to his age. All three were involved in some way with the events of ‘Bloody Sunday’ 1920, and Sean would die tragically as a member of the National Army in 1922. The painting is entitled ““THEY DID US PROUD: OUR HEROES GONE”
“Shadows of the Rising” is a competition which will invite playwrights to submit new, short works based on that theme. Four plays will be selected by an independent panel and each will be awarded a bursary of €400 and will be staged and presented as part of the 1916 celebrations hosted The Sean O Casey Theatre in 2016.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke has spoken on the importance of such local events: “Dublin city was at the heart of the 1916 Rising with the capital’s streets being the location of most of the fighting. Indeed, Dublin’s citizens, and its buildings, bore the scars of the momentous events for many years. As we approach the centenary year it is important that communities get involved and commemorate the 1916 Rising in their own areas, and that often forgotten individuals, personal sacrifices and unreported local incidents become part of the bigger story”
Speaking on the competition, the director of the Sean O’Casey Theatre, Mr Fran Laycock today explained: “This is an exciting new bursary and performance opportunity for existing and emerging talents. We are looking for new plays, up to 30 minutes in length, and from these four will be selected for performance next year.” Mr Fran Laycock went on to add: “Given the importance of the centenary year, and the enduring legacy of Sean O’Casey this is something we are sure both well known and aspiring playwrights will be eager to be involved with, and we look forward to the submissions”.
Joe Mooney of the East Wall History Group explained the historical significance of choosing Wednesday evening to hold the unveiling and competition launch: “In 1916 British troops had secured the main Port area almost immediately once news of the rebellion spread on Monday. However, they were subjected to ongoing sniper attacks and on Wednesday evening they began sweeping through the area and rounded up the local residents. They imprisoned women and children in St.Barnabas Church and the men in grain sheds. Amongst those rounded up were the playwright Sean O’Casey, along with the family of the artist Eilish Lynch, who lived at number 14 Irvine Terrace. It is believed that it was these events that encouraged both her mother ‘Dina’ and her uncle Sean to get involved with the Irish Citizen Army and the Irish Republican Army , which they would join in 1917.”
Date: Wednesday 8th April at 7.30pm
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Sean O’Casey Theatre, St Marys Road, East Wall
For confirmation and further information:
Fran Laycock (Sean O’Casey Theatre, East Wall) – 0876350056
Joe Mooney (East Wall History Group) – 0876698587