People throughout Ireland have employed a variety of means to mark the seismic events of Easter week 1916.
Araglin, which was a nerve centre of Republican activity during the War of Independence is hosting an event entitled ‘The Easter Rising & Its Aftermath – Araglin’s Fighting Story’ in Araglin Community Centre at 7pm on Sunday, 3rd April.
Some of the filming for a video which will be shown on the night took place last Sunday with state-of-the-art drone technology being used to capture a variety of scenes, the most notable of which was re-enacting a drilling exercise by Irish Volunteers which took place exactly 100 years ago this week.
Like most Irish Volunteer companies, Araglin members were preparing themselves for a military offensive – as things transpired, Irish Volunteers outside Dublin saw little or no action during Easter week.
Ger Donovan, from Dungarvan, was the man charged with capturing the action. He was assisted by his cousin, Neil Donovan, from Ballyporeen, other members of the production team included Tom Leddy and Gearoid Donovan.
Irish Volunteers, in historically accurate garb and suitably equipped, included: John Joseph Donovan, Thomas Kenneally Jr., Shay Russell, Patrick Kenneally, John Allen, David Browne, Sean Kenneally, Seán O’Doherty, Kevin Fitzgerald, Denis Twomey, Maurice Reidy and Mark Hickey.
Despite having limited acting experience, these individuals did a superb job and were very convincing in their roles. Technically, the ‘shoot’, which was filmed on location on Doon Mountain (known locally as the Fhoill Dearg) went smoothly.
Reflecting on the video, John Joseph Donovan said he was delighted that the ‘spirit of 1916’ was captured and that the re-enactment did justice to the memory of those who put their lives on the line to establish an Irish Republic.
