“Original and Authentic”, Siobhan Mearon looks at the Revolution 1916 Exhibition which promises to take us back in time, and experience the Easter Rising through the eyes of those who lived it.
Among the many celebrations taking place all over the city this year is ‘Revolution 1916’, an exhibition that incorporates many unique relics, with interactive sets that take the visitor through the same Dublin that the rebels fought in 100 years ago. The exhibition opens on 27th February in the Ambassador Theatre on O’Connell Street, a fitting home for the year-long event.
In 2016, the 100 year anniversary of the Easter Rising, Dublin city has further reason to remember the events of the past that have shaped Ireland into what it has become.
Spokesperson for the event, Bartle D’Arcy, spoke of the importance of the exhibition’s surroundings. The Ambassador Theatre, formerly the Rotunda Rink, holds strong ties to the Rising, as D’Arcy mentions. “The building that it’s in is particularly important, because that’s the building in 1913 that all the volunteers signed up to fight in 1916, and it’s also sitting on O’Connell Street which was the main centre of operations 100 years ago.”
Not only does the Ambassador Theatre have such a rich and relevant heritage, but its prime position on O’Connell street ensures that the exhibition will attract huge crowds, be that of intrigued tourists, or even Irish people wishing to learn more about their own history. D’Arcy says that the exhibition is expected to receive upwards of a quarter of a million people.
The visitors to the exhibition will experience the celebrations of the 1916 Rising on a few different levels. D’Arcy reveals that the exhibition houses “the largest private collection of original artefacts from that period”. This unique collection of various military artefacts is sure to be a highlight of the exhibition because, as D’Arcy explains, “they’re quite rare because the Rising was a military defeat so a lot of the arms were broken by the volunteers before they surrendered, and were obsolete so the British destroyed them.” This only adds to the authenticity of the exhibition as the pieces are not just valuable remnants of the fight against the British soldiers, they’re extremely rare.
The pieces for the exhibition, as they are rare, have been donated to Revolution 1916 by the Irish Volunteers Commemorative Organisation, a private collector that has been collecting artefacts like the ones exhibited at the event for 70-80 years. This exhibition also holds the original Proclamation, one of only 50 among other rare items. “We have original Howth mauser rifles, brought to Ireland in the gun running of 1914,” D’Arcy explains. The exhibition has 3 of the 12 in existence. None of the artefacts have come from national museums.
The sets that are built downstairs allow visitors to experience Dublin of 1916 first hand, D’Arcy says. “Visitors are able to walk through the main operations of the Rising, into the GPO as it was on Easter Monday, they can retreat down Moore Street and will end up in Kilmainham and the place of execution, the Stonebreaker’s Yard.” These sets, although seemingly ambitious, purely serve to create an authentic atmosphere, which gives an insight into the past for the visitors to fully immerse themselves in. D’Arcy claims this is an important aspect of the exhibition. “We want people to try and feel what it was like, to understand the history.”
D’arcy says that the 1916 Rising tells us a lot about how people lived 100 years ago. “The question is why did those men and women feel it was necessary to raise arms and seize buildings and to fight against the British Empire, because they don’t feel the need to do that now.” This unique perspective on the reasons for the Easter Rising seem to be replicated throughout the exhibition.
The ideals and hopes of the Irish rebels in 1916 can be translated into the modern day. Specifically, D’Arcy brings up the ideas of equality that are often spread in times of revolution: “The document (the 1916 Proclamation) was the first at the time to give equal rights to men and women within the first line… then after the Free State was formed, women were again relegated back into being inferior to the masculinity of the Free State.”
The 1916 Rising has parallels in these modern times. Women today are also often sidelined in favour of the masculine ideals of Irish society. D’Arcy furthered this by explaining, “a lot of the women who fought in 1916 weren’t deemed to be competent, so they didn’t get their pensions for about 20 years afterwards.”
“The document itself, in cherishing the children of the nation equally, and also it being a 32 county republic, none of those things have been realised by a succession of Irish governments, both in the 26 counties and in the 6 counties in the North. So, that’s why it’s relevant today, because a centenary is a very important time, commemorating what happened on the streets of Dublin and all over Ireland in 1916, and now we’re coinciding with a general election as well so it adds a little bit more to it.”
The Proclamation is a fitting theme to the exhibition, as D’Arcy calls it “the defining document for republicanism.” D’Arcy references the fact that the Proclamation itself could be traced back to Robert Emmet’s proclamation in 1803, as well as incorporating the ideals of the rebels. He said of the Proclamation, “it has a lot of the United Irishmen’s ideals written into it, Mitchell’s thoughts, Pearse’s thoughts, and Connolly influenced a lot of it, which would be where the equality comes into it, and also the right of the Irish people to the sovereignty, and to the assets of Ireland.”
With the Centenary celebrations taking over Ireland this year, the eyes of the world will be on Dublin. D’Arcy puts this down to all the events commemorating the 1916 Rising, saying, “Dublin has a rich heritage, including some buildings still intact from 1916 on Moore Street, that are very valuable from a heritage and a tourism point of view… I think it has a wide appeal for everybody.”
Dublin’s unique history is undoubtedly attractive to tourists because as D’Arcy concludes, “not all cities had revolutions.” Revolution 1916 will not only bring valuable tourism to the city, but perhaps more importantly to emphasise its rich history and remember the events that formed this country.
Original Review at universityobserver.ie
Upon entering you are greeted with a projected video which sets the scene for the rest of the exhibition. An Ireland on the brink of securing Home Rule, poverty stricken with its citizens living in the despicable conditions of the tenement housing. Revolution and rebellion is on the horizon, Home Rule was not and will not ever be enough for those fighting. The macabre feeling of unrest and oppression haunts the rest of the exhibition, the snippet from the graveside oration for O’ Donovan Rossa given by Pádraig Pearse “Ireland unfree shall never be at peace” ringing in your ears.
The location of the exhibition was beyond befitting, your perspective of O’ Connell street changed forever upon walking out the door. Wondering; what would the 1916 Leaders think of present-day Ireland? Is all their hard work and utter sacrifice going to be in vain? The Rebellion 1916 exhibition is beginning a long overdue conversation about national pride and heritage. Something which was nearly lost during the tumultuous time of recession in Ireland. This exhibition was better than any history class I ever had.
James Connolly Heron, great grandson of 1916 Leader James Connolly captured it perfectly in his speech, emphasising the responsibility of today’s generation to keep the fire alive. We must not forget the cultural rebirth of our defeated nation. We must inform ourselves of the heroes that transformed our country. Pádraig Pearse, James Connolly, Michael Collins, Clarke, McDermott. The women, Molly O’ Reilly, Elizabeth O’ Farrell, Countess Markievicz, Carney, Skinnider, Lynn, but to name a few, who destroyed the gender stereotype of the time and fought for the women’s rights which we utilise daily.
In Ireland today, it is hard to be patriotic without talk of taboo IRA and Republicanism rearing its head. Despite that, we should take pride in our language and our anthem. Blood was shed to make this possible. “The sword of light is now passing to a new generation, the incorruptible inheritors of Irish freedom. May it glow ever-bright in their warm embrace.”
The rest of the exhibition, ideal in length, displays a copy of the Proclamation, a day by day account of the 1916 Rising, the biography of it’s leaders and the women of the Rising, including a huge emphasis on the bravery of the work undertaken Molly O’ Reilly, all acknowledged in the massive presence of a statue by Stuart Dunne of O’ Reilly raising the flag of Ireland on Palm Sunday whilst dragging four men representative of the four provinces from the dust and dirt.
There is an inclusion of Irish artists such as the charcoal works in “An Túras Fada” and many other works by Irish artists Brian P. Mulvany and the series of portraits of the women of the Rising by Melissa Moore. This truly highlights the importance of Irish culture and heritage, not only in our every day but in the arts.
You are guaranteed to be immersed in Irish history with an exact replica of the GPO as was in 1916, with artefacts including the original door handle and the whistle belonging to the post officer at the time. Other artefacts included an array of Irish Volunteers uniforms, Howth Mauser rifles with serrated bayonets, the rifle of Michael Collins and the Casserly car which he used. The atmosphere outside the GPO that day was also created at the far side of the replica of the inside, with bombs and gunshot rattling through your ears.
A replica of the stone-breakers yard is on the exhibition trail where the leaders of the 1916 Rising were executed, their last words echoing in the background creating a harrowing experience. It is also possible to take a peek into the actual catacombs the leaders used for navigation during the Rising, left as they were.
The strife of the hunger strikers was also acknowledged in a series of murals and included artefacts belonging to a striker. Reminding you that the nightmare was actually a reality to them. The deprivation of food and intentional neglect of the prisoners ever-present and reflected in the lives lost.
The end of the exhibition informs you of the aftermath of the 1916 Rising and the following War of Independence and a list of the numerous lives lost.
Original Review at puremzine.com
Unless you’ve been living on a deserted island with no access to TV, print or social media it can’t have escaped your notice that this year marks the centenary of the Easter Rising which would eventually lead much of our Island breaking free of the shackles of English rule and becoming a republic. Obviously there are many events and exhibitions planned to mark the occasion. What makes this one stand out is that it is actually right in the heart of the area that events of that fateful weekend occurred. Indeed it is also the site where the men who took part in the Rising signed up for the Irish volunteers three years earlier.
Telling the story of the Rising and its long reaching aftermath through a mixture of artefacts (including Michael Collins actual car), newly commissioned artworks, video, recreations and tours, this is designed to educate and fascinate. Even if you think you know everything there is to know about the events you will find something to surprise you and the tour follows the proper timeline rather than jumping from event to event for dramatic effect. Walking past some fabulous art of the women of the revolution you are confronted with a video documenting events before heading to another area where large and colourful backdrops tell the story in Irish and English as you browse some of the real possessions and mementos of the people involved all sitting in glass classes.
One floor down and there is a recreation of the area in Kilmainham Jail where the rebel leaders were executed and poignantly it has a single chair representative of the fact that an already dying James Connolly was carried out on a stretcher and sat on a chair to be shot. It is on this floor that you will find Michael Collins actual revolver and his car and a whole other section dedicated to the hunger strikers who died in the 1980s protesting British Rule.
However the most fascinating thing in this area is what at first glance appears to be a hole in the floor. Look a bit closer and you will see that it is covered in glass and your gaze leads down to a tunnel – one of the real tunnels that was dug out and used over the course of the rebellion. Its sheer depth is overwhelming and it is a timely reminder that you have been quite literally walking in the footsteps of many of the men and women who took part in the fight for Ireland’s freedom.
If you have kids who would prefer a nice colourful snapshot of events rather than a long lecture then this is a perfect family day out. Not just aimed at families though, adults will appreciate the depth of research that has gone into this and the gravitas and respect with which the subject matter is treated.
A particular highlight is the amazing bronze sculptor by actor and artist Stuart Dunne depicting Molly O’Reilly bravely raising the flag on Easter Sunday. The word breathtaking is thrown about a lot but you will literally gasp at the magnitude and magnificence of this (although I have no idea how they got it in to the building.)
In a period where every Tom, Dick and Harry will be peddling some sort of 1916 tribute this is definitely one that is worth checking out for its authenticity, attention to detail and sheer breath of information.
Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.
Original Review at nomoreworkhorse.com
REVOLUTION 1916 The Original & Authentic Exhibition
Raising of the Flags of the Participants in the 1916 Rising
Takes place this Saturday at the Ambassador Theatre
REVOLUTION 1916 The Original & Authentic Exhibition are set to raise the flags on the Ambassador Theatre this Saturday. Current representatives of each of the organisations that took part in 1916 will raise their flag.
Join us at 1pm on Saturday November 21st at the Ambassador Theatre for the raising of the flags of the participants in the 1916 Rising. Raising the flag of Na Fianna Éireann, 11 year old Brian O’Ciarnain from the Finglas Historical Society. Raising the flag of Cumann na mBan, 17 year old Carla Cowley Ralph the great granddaughter of Molly O’Reilly who raised the Irish Flag over Liberty Hall in 1916 at the same age. Raising the flag of the Irish Citizen Army, James Connolly Heron the great grandson of James Connolly who founded the I.C.A.
Raising the flag of the Irish Volunteers, the Irish Volunteers Commemorative Organisation President Garry O’Brien. Raising the Tri colour on behalf of The Irish Republican Brotherhood their President Billy McGuire, Guard of Honour for Flag Raising.
After the Flag Raising the 1916 Proclamation will be read aloud outside the Theatre by a uniformed Patrick Pearse and when the Exhibition opens on 27th February 2016 this will occur daily at 12 midday and will become an iconic symbol of the centenary year.
Date: This Saturday 21 November
Assemble Time: 1pm
Running Order:
1.15pm: Na Fianna and Cumann na mBan flags raised on the Ambassador Theatre roof.
1.30pm: The 3 main flags raised from the street.
1.40pm Proclamation Reading
Celebrate the Centenary by paying a visit to the must see REVOLUTION 1916 The Original & Authentic Exhibition in the Ambassador Theatre O’Connell St Dublin which opens 27 February 2016. Tickets for the exhibition, priced from €15, with concessions, are available now through Ticketmaster.
A fitting location for the exhibition, the Ambassador Theatre was formerly the Rotunda Rink and dates back to 1764. It was here on 25 November 1913 that the Irish Volunteers held a mass meeting and many volunteers who took part in the 1916 Rising signed up. During the 1916 Rising, the Ambassador was the backdrop for the famous image of British Soldiers posing with the captured Irish Republic flag held upside down and inside out.
Full Press Release:
REVOLUTION 1916
The Original & Authentic Exhibition
Ambassador Theatre, O’Connell St, Dublin
Opens 27 February 2016
Celebrate the Centenary by paying a visit to the must see REVOLUTION 1916 The Original & Authentic Exhibition in the Ambassador Theatre O’Connell St Dublin which opens 27 February 2016. Tickets for the exhibition, priced from €15, with concessions, are available now through Ticketmaster.
A fitting location for the exhibition, the Ambassador Theatre was formerly the Rotunda Rink and dates back to 1764. It was here on 25 November 1913 that the Irish Volunteers held a mass meeting and many volunteers who took part in the 1916 Rising signed up.
During the 1916 Rising, the Ambassador was the backdrop for the famous image of British Soldiers posing with the captured Irish Republic flag held upside down and inside out. Beside the building is where the captured rebels from the G.P.O. and Four Courts garrisons were held out overnight at the front of the Rotunda.
The exhibition will feature the largest private collection of 1916 artefacts, with over 500 items on display, on loan from the Irish Volunteers Commemorative Organisation (IVCO). Exhibits will include an original 1916 Proclamation, uniforms from the Irish Volunteers, Cumann na mBan and na Fianna, 1916 weapons including Howth Mausers, German Lugers, Peter the Painter C96 machine pistol as favoured by Patrick Pearse, French Bayonets and even the actual door handle of the G.P.O. from 1916.
The exhibition will use the 1916 Proclamation as its overall theme and will examine the “six times during the past three hundred years they have asserted it in arms” as the lead up to the events of 1916. A series of sets will take the visitor through the main locations of the 1916 Rising including The G.P.O., Moore St, and recreating the 1916 Kilmainham landing and walk to the stonebreakers yard.
The role of The Irish and Fenian Republican Brotherhood since its formation in 1858 to the establishment of Sovereignty 60 years later after the 1918 elections will be presented in the exhibition. The ratification of the 1916 Proclamation by the First Dáil Éireann on 21st January 1919 with the Declaration of Independence will be featured along with the original sovereign seal.
At midday every day a uniformed “Patrick Pearse” will read aloud the 1916 Proclamation outside the Ambassador in what is sure to become an iconic image of the centenary year.
“We have put together a special school tour package with student tickets priced at just €8 and each tour booking will receive study notes on the Easter Rising compiled by James Connolly Heron, the great grandson of 1916 leader James Connolly.” said Exhibition spokesperson Bartle D’Arcy.
Demand for tickets for this must see exhibition will be high next year with Dublin set to have over four million overseas visitors alone. Tickets to the exhibition will be date stamped on the Easter Feast Weekend and for all anniversary dates relating to the Rising and will become a memento of your visit in the Centenary Year.
REVOLUTION 1916 The Original & Authentic Exhibition opens on 27th February 2016 and tickets are on sale now on Ticketmaster and are priced from €15 with concessions for Students, OAP and the Unemployed.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Dates and Times: Open daily from 10.00am to 6pm from 27 February 2016 for a limited time only
Tickets: From €15 for adults / from €12 for children. Note ticket prices include booking fee
Ticket Outlets: Available from Ticketmaster and venue box office
Telephone bookings: Tel 24 hrs: 0818 719 300 (ROI) | Tel: 0844 277 4455 (N Ireland)
Peter Corrigan Annual Commemorative Lecture-Thursday 22nd October 2015 @7.30pm in Harps Social Club, Armagh City.
Guest Speaker Mary-Lou McDonald TD Vice President Sinn Féin-‘100 years of Republican Struggle ‘
All Welcome. Organised by Armagh Sinn Féin Contact Freddie Toal 07938534264 brendatoal@hotmail.co.uk
Thursday 17th September. Chapel Collins Barracks Cork.
5.30 pm. Remains arrive for private time with Kent Family.
6.00 pm. Service with the Chaplain, some public access.
6.30 pm. Public able to pay their respects.
Friday 18th September.
Cork/Barracks to Cork Prison
11.00 am for private ceremony.
12.45 pm Cortege departs prison for Castlelyons.
Route;Rathmore Rd to Glen Ave, Ballyhooly Rd via Dillon’s Cross, via St Luke’s Cross, to Summerhill North, left onto the lower Glanmire Road, passing Kent Station. Motorway to Castlelyons passing Bawnard House.
St Nicholas Church Castlelyons.
1.00pm. Invited Guests in Church, public viewing outside.
1.15pm An Taoiseach, Ard Mhéara Cork City, Mayor of Cork County and the President arrive.
1.35pm Cortege arrives at church.
1.45pm Funeral Mass begins.
The re-interment will take place in the Kent Family plot beside the Church and ceremonies to be finished by 3pm. Service will be live on RTE.
Sinn Féin have designed a series of participant events for the Diaspora returning to Ireland to honour the men and women of 1916 at Easter 2016. Pipe bands from America are already booked in to participate and full details of these events will be released shortly. Easter Weekend 25th – 28th March.
These will feature;
The Lost Leaders March on Good Friday following the last route the bodies of the executed men took from Kilmainham Gaol to Arbour Hill where a wreath laying ceremonial is planned.
Assemble 12.30 pm at Kilmainham Civic Square for arrival at Arbour Hill at 2pm
A re enactment of the Irish Citizen Army march on Easter Saturday from Liberty Hall up Grafton St to the St. Stephens Green Garrison led by Commandent Michael Mallin and Constance Markievicz.
Assemble 11am Beresford Place Liberty Hall, arrive St Stephens Green for 12.30pm
Easter Sunday Dublin Sinn Féin assemble Moore st 2pm for march to 1916 plot at Glasnevin.
Belfast Easter Sunday Parade. The Biggest Sinn Féin event of Easter Weekend Assemble 12 midday. Conway Mill
Local commemorations nationwide.
Over 10,000 people took part in the Sinn Féin organised full scale re-enactment of the O’Donovan Rossa Funeral. Held 100 years to the day and time on Saturday 1st August 2015 the lying in state at the rotunda in Dublin City Hall was faithfully re created from 12 midday. The Cabra Historical Society played a central role in the day’s proceedings having practised their drill for the previous six months. Cllr Michael MacDonncha introduced proceedings and actor Allan Keating delivered the Fr O’Flanagan oration over the casket.
The casket leaving City Hall through the west door to be greeted by the thousands waiting outside was one of the many memorable scenes from the day. The historical funeral cortege left on time at 2pm led by the O’Neill/Allsopp MFB from New Lodge Belfast. The sight of so many uniformed Irish Volunteers and Irish Citizen Army including 4 Volunteer Cavalry officers on Irish draught horses caused great excitement on the streets. The period Hearse supplied by John Farrell Undertakers was pulled by 4 magnificent Belgian Friesian stallions. Also in the cortege were South Derry Martyrs RFB, Carrick-on-Suir RFB and Éire Nua RFB. As the cortege passed the G.P.O. on O’Connell st it was also still leaving City Hall.
Arriving in Glasnevin after 3pm the graveside ceremonial began with a welcome from Sinn Féin Deputy President Mary Lou McDonald TD who then introduced the well known singer Red Hurley. Red sang live a new Pete St John 1916 song “The Spirit of the Gael” to a fantastic reception. Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD gave the graveside address before Pádraig Pearse ,actor Edward Cosgrave, stepped forward to deliver a spell binding oration that was received with thunderous applause. The two great grandsons of O’Donovan Rossa, Williams and Rossa Cole who had walked from City Hall with the Sinn Féin leadership laid the Sinn Féin wreath on the grave of their great grandfather. Just like 1915 The Cabra Historical Society gave three rifle volleys to salute the dead Fenian before concluding with the National Anthem.
For those lucky enough to be there on the day it was an unforgettable experience. Covered by RTE News on the day and filmed by the BBC for a later show with presenter Simon Reeve.
The Belfast launch of Sinn Féin’s National programme of events to mark the upcoming centenary of the 1916 rising. On Friday 20th March at Clifton House North Belfast before a large attendance including relatives of Winifrid Carney and Charlie Monahan, Bartle D’Arcy Sinn Féin National 1916 Co-ordinator outlined the main national events and Tom Hartley Belfast Chairman gave details of the key Belfast events planned including erecting a statue of James Connolly on the Falls Road.
Addressed by the joint First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA , Minister for Culture Carál Ní Chuilín MLA and Gerry Kelly MLA the event was an historic occasion with an original 1916 Proclamation present as well as Michael Collin’s revolver courtesy of the Irish Volunteers Commemorative Organisation.