Easter Week April 1966 - RTÉ Commemorates 1916

Parade to the General Post Office, Dublin.

Cuireann D.A. Ó Miocháin tús leis an mbeo-chursíos ar pharáid mhór mhíleata na seachtaine.

Programme Title:
Golden Jubilee of 1916 Rising
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 4'29"
Commentators: Niall Tóibin, Brian Farrell
Introduced by Denis Meehan

The nation commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Rising of Easter Week, 1916.

The week of ceremonies begins with a reading of the Proclamation of the Republic at the General Post Office, Dublin, followed by a military parade. In the presence of a distinguished gathering, including many survivors of the Rising, An tUachtarán, Eamon de Valera, takes the salute as units of the Defence Forces converge on O'Connell Street from points associated with the different garrisons of Easter Week and march past the GPO.

Programme Title:
Cuimhneacháin 1916
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 3'08"
Directors: Burt Budin, Michael Slevin

At the General Post Office, Dublin.

Captain Patrick Coakley raises the Irish flag over the GPO.

Ardaítear an Bhratach Náisiúnta go sollúnta ag Ard-Oifig an Phoist.

Programme Title:
Midday Ceremonies
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 1'24"
Commentators: Breandán Ó hEithir, Terry Wogan

At the Kilmainham Gaol execution plot, An tUachtarán pays tribute, in the name of the nation, to the men who gave their lives for the ideal of freedom.

Íslítear an bhratach i gCeapach an Bháis agus seinntear an Ghairm Dheiridh in ómós do mhairbh 1916. Ansin leagann Eamon de Valera bláthfhleasc cuimhneacháin.

Programme Title:
Kilmainham
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 3'04"
Commentator: Pádraig Ó Raghallaigh
Director: Michael Monaghan

After the ceremony, an tUachtarán presides at the formal opening of the Memorial Museum in the Main Hall of the Kilmainham Gaol building.

Labhraíonn de Valera as a sheasamh ar an ngá atá le hiarsmaí na laochra a chruinniú in áit a gcaomhnófar iad.

B'é Pádraig Ó Raghallaigh a rinne tráchtaireacht teilifíse ar an ócáid seo.

Programme Title:
Kilmainham
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 2'58"
Director: Michael Monaghan

Formal opening by Eamon de Valera, Uachtarán na hÉireann.

Tugann an tUachtarán chun cuimhne as a n-ainmneacha na cinnirí a cuireadh chun báis sa sean-charcar sin.

Programme Title:
Kilmainham Gaol Historical Museum
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 3'04"

Programme Title:
Double Bill of Plays by W.B. Yeats
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966

Cathleen Ní Houlihan
Cast:
The Poor Old Woman - Neasa Ní Annracháin
Peter Gillane - Brian O'Higgins
Michael Gillane - Eamonn Keane
Patrick Gillane - Noel Ó Briain
Bridget Gillane - Maura O'Sullivan
Delia Cahel - Musetta Joyce
Producer: Frank O'Dwyer

The Green Helmet
Cast:
Laegaire - Aiden Grennell
Conall - James Neylin
Cúchulainn - Niall Tóibin
Laegaire's wife - Ginette Waddell
Conall's wife - Deirdre O'Meara
Producer: Séamus Breathnach

Written by Bryan MacMahon.

The second of four specially-commissioned plays for children set in the years leading up to Easter Week 1916.

"I was only a scrap of a lad at the time, but I clearly recall going to the local railway station every evening of Easter Week in 1916 to ask the passengers how the fighting was faring in Dublin." - Bryan MacMahon

In this play, eleven-year-old Dónal O'Connor goes to the railway station in his home town in the south-west of Ireland, anxious to hear news from Dublin - which will have special importance for his family.

In this extract, Dónal hears from a passenger on the train that a rising is taking place in Dublin.

Programme Title:
A Boy at the Train
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 1'04"
Cast:
Donal O'Connor - Valentine Hickey
Maura, his mother - Máire Chinsealach
Granda Malone - Fred Johnson
Seamus Malone - Desmond Nealon
Johnny the Songs - Eoin O'Brien
RIC Policeman - Leon Collins
Traveller - Robert Somerset
Engine driver - John Kelly
Sergeant - Sean McCarthy
Women - Josephine Fitzgerald, Máirin Healy
Crew:
Cameras - Tony Barry
Lighting - Randall Miles
Sound - Cormac Flanagan
Designed by Alan Pleass
Written by Bryan MacMahon
Produced by Christopher Fitzsimon

Homage to the men and women of 1916, their deeds and ideals, told in part in their own words and songs, and performed by the Radio Éireann Players.

Music specially composed and arranged by A.J. Potter, performed by the Radio Éireann Light Orchestra with the Radio Éireann Singers, and conducted by Eimear Ó Broin.

Programme Title:
The Voice of the Rising
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 2'30"
Script: Bryan Mac Mahon
Narrator: Aiden Grennell
Producer: Padraic O'Neill

Presented by the Radio Éireann Light Orchestra with Leader Jack Cheatle, and the Radio Éireann Singers.

Presenter John Skehan introduces a special edition of Music of the Nation. Mícheál Ó Conaill sings "My Old Howth Gun" written by Seamus McGallogly.

Programme Title:
Music of the Nation
1st Broadcast:10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 2'16"
The Radio Éireann Light Orchestra
Leader: Jack Cheatle
Guest Soloists:
Mary Sheridan, mezzo-soprano
Mícheál Ó Conaill, baritone
Conductor: Eimear Ó Broin
Scriptwriter: Ciarán Mac Mathúna
Reader: Niall Tóibin
Producer: Jane Carty

"Every man's vision of his country is his own, his very particular heritage."

Padraic Fallon's evocation of Ireland's aspirations to nationhood, with singers Gráinne Yeats, Mary Sheridan and Nioclás Tóibin, the Radio Éireann Singers and uilleann piper Leo Rowsome.

Programme Title:
A Sword of Steel
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 1'45"
The Radio Éireann Light Orchestra
Leader: Jack Cheatle
Conductor: Eimear Ó Broin
Sound: Robert Gillen
Film Cameraman: Stuart Hetherington
Film Editor: Tom Cleary
Narrator: Liam Redmond
Choral and orchestral arrangements: A.J. Potter
Producer: Michael Garvey

By P.H. Pearse, with prologue and epilogue arranged for radio by Mícheál Ó hAodha and produced by P.J. O'Connor.

No. 11 in a season of twelve historical plays to mark the 50th Anniversary of the 1916 Insurrection.

"His biographer Louis Le Roux has commented 'The Singer is the vigil of Patrick Pearse on the eve of certain death.' But MacDara is no one dimensional character intent on a blood sacrifice as an expiation. He is, despite his resolve, tormented by self-questioning and doubts." - Mícheál Ó hAodha

Roghnaigh Ó hAodha dhá dhán leis an bPiarsach le cur leis an dráma, "The Rebel" mar réimhír agus "The Mother" mar iarmhír.

[Clip not available.]

Programme Title:
The Singer
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Cast:
MacDara, the Singer - Frank O'Dwyer
Máire Ní Fhiannachta - Pegg Monahan
Sighle - Daphne Carroll
Colm - Noel Ó Briain
Cuimin Éanna - Chris Curran
Maoilsheachlainn - Arthur O'Sullivan
Diarmuid of the Bridge - Kevin Flood
Also taking part are Noel Lynch and Éamonn Rohan
Producer: P.J. O'Connor

Easter Week, 1916 - a dramatic reconstruction by Hugh Leonard, in eight parts.

Sunday, April 23 1916: "There will be no Rising".

Episode one of the series is set on Sunday, 23 April 1916. It opens with the television newsreader (Maurice O'Doherty) concluding a report on the Battle of Verdun before handing over to the studio presenter (Ray McAnally) for the week's special report. McAnally introduces reports on the sinking of the Aud, a notice in the day's newspapers cancelling the Irish Volunteer parades and an item on Sinn Féin.

There is a report from Banna Strand where arms were found and a man arrested. McAnally interviews Sir Matthew Nathan, Under Secretary for Ireland (Cecil Barror) in studio, who reveals that the man arrested was Roger Casement. Reporter Pat Nolan interviews Professor Eoin Mac Neill at St Enda's and at his home. Thomas Clarke (Jim Norton) gives his reaction to the cancellation of the parade. Reporter Maurie Taylor interviews Lord Wimbourne (Aiden Grennell) at the Vice-Regal Lodge, who assures the audience that "...there will be no rising".

Programme Title:
Insurrection - Episode I
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 3'16"
Cast:
Newscaster - Maurice O'Doherty
John McCarthy - John O'Shea
Sergeant Hearn - Traolach Ó hAonghusa
Sir Roger Casement - Conor Farrington
Sir Mathew Nathan - Cecil Barror
Professor Eoin MacNeill - Eddie Golden
P.H. Pearse - Eoin Ó Súilleabháin
Tom Clarke - Jim Norton
Lord Wimbourne - Aiden Grennell
And members of the Defence Forces by courtesy of the Minister of Defence and through the co-operation of the officers, NCOs and men of the Eastern Command.
Reporters
- Peadar Bartishell
- Pat Nolan
- Gerry Alexander
- Maurie Taylor
Co-ordinator: Ray McAnally
Design: Alpho O'Reilly
Film Sequences directed by: Michael Garvey
Produced and Directed by Louis Lentin

Radio Telefís Éireann acknowledges the assistance derived from Max Caulfield's Book "The Easter Rebellion".

Seán Egan reports on the first ceremony in London to mark the 1916 Rising - a church service held at St Xavier's, London Bridge.

Programme Title:
RTÉ News - Report on the Day's Parades and Ceremonies
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 2'48"
Reporter: Seán Egan

"They shall be spoken of among their people. The generations shall remember them and call them blessed." - Pearse

A special programme from the "Newsbeat" team brought television viewers reports from commemoration events around the country.

This clip has been edited from footage of parades at Coalisland, Cloughjordan, Dundalk, Enniscorthy, Galway, Kiltyclogher, Limerick and Cork shot on 10 April 1966. Some of this film is mute.

At Coalisland, Tyrone, 7,000 people have turned out for a parade. At Cloughjordan, Tipperary, the Thomas MacDonagh Memorial is opened by his daughter, Bairbre Redmond. The Minister for Agriculture, Charles Haughey, is in attendance. At Dundalk, Sean McEntee reads the Proclamation and the salute is taken by the Minster for Finance, Jack Lynch.

In Galway, thousands attend a ceremony in Eyre Square. A guard of honour is formed by forty veterans who turned out in Galway in 1916. The actress Siobhan McKenna reads the Proclamation.

In Kiltyclogher, Leitrim, the birthplace of Seán MacDiarmada, the official commemoration is boycotted by his sisters Margaret and Rose in protest of "those who have accepted less than the 32-county Republic".

In Limerick, the parade goes from Sarsfield Barracks to the 1916 memorial on Sarsfield Bridge, where the Minister for Industry & Commerce, Patrick Hillery, lays a wreath.

Programme Title:
Spoken of among Their People
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 5'18"
Note: Some of the selected film is mute.

This programme is a portrait of Thomas J. Clarke consisting of the recollections of his widow, Caitlín Bean Uí Chléirigh, Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh, Eamonn T. Dore, Professor Liam Ó Briain, Denis McCullough, Mrs Eamonn T. Dore, Tom Kelly, Tom Devine and of Clarke's own testimony as given in his memoir "Glimpses of an Irish Felon's Prison Life".

In this extract, Kathleen Clarke remembers the night before the Rising, and recalls saying goodbye to her husband the following morning.

Programme Title:
On Behalf of The Provisional Government - Thomas J. Clarke
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 1'50"
Script: Owen Dudley Edwards
Narration: Niall Tóibin, Chris Curran
Research: Donal McCartney
Editing:
Film - Rory O'Farrell
Video Tape - Paul Little
Film Cameraman: Will Warham
Producer: Aindreas Ó Gallchóir

Over 5,000 attend the 1916 commemoration held at Trafalgar Square, London. The South London Girl Pipers head the parade, which includes members of the Old IRA and Cumann na mBan. Actor Eddie Golden reads the Proclamation.

Ruairí Brugha, son of Cathal, gives an address where he says:

"We on our part must realize that force may not bring unity. That the reverse in fact can be true. Force can create resistance and what we are trying to bring about is unity. It was force that kept Ireland in chains."

Programme Title:
RTÉ News - 1916 Commemoration March in London
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 2'53"

A crowd of a few hundred take part in an event organized by the republican-sponsored National Commemoration Committee after the official parades at the GPO. They march from the Custom House to Glasnevin Cemetery. Among their numbers are Joe Clarke, an 85-year-old veteran of the 1916 Rising, and members of Celtic groups from Wales, Brittany, Scotland, the Isle of Man and Cornwall.

Programme Title:
RTÉ News - Republican Commemorative Parade to Glasnevin
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 0'22"
Note: This clip is mute.

A series of eight recorded features presented by Proinsias Mac Aonghusa in which the day-to-day events of Easter Week are recalled by participants.

I. Easter Sunday

Desmond Ryan, Liam Ó Briain, Simon Donnelly, Helena Molony, Archie Heron, Joseph O'Connor and many others remember the events of the day and their personal feelings when the mobilization order was cancelled.

Programme Title:
The Week of the Rising
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 1'27"
Presenter: Proinsias Mac Aonghusa

Tomás Ó Cléirigh.

Caint ó Éamonn de hÓir.

"One by one I saw my fellow-prisoners break down and go mad under the terrible strain - some slowly and by degrees, others suddenly and without warning." - Tom Clarke

As Luimneach do Éamonn de hÓir, agus bhi a athair páirteach san Éirí Amach. Saineolaí ar logainmneacha agus gearrscéalaí ab ea é.

[Clip not available.]

Programme Title:
Seachtar Mór an Éirí Amach
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Contributor: Éamonn de hÓir

President Eamon de Valera addresses the nation on the first day of the commemoration of the 1916 Rising.

He says that the events of this week in 1966 are about honouring the men who gave or risked their lives that Ireland might be free and who inspired the national resurgence that followed.

Listen here to an extract from that broadcast:

Programme Title:
Address to the Nation
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 3'56"

A specially-commissioned version of the national anthem was shown at the station's close each evening of the week. The portraits of the seven signatories of the proclamation are by Seán O'Sullivan RHA.

Programme Title:
Closedown - Seven Signatories
1st Broadcast: 10 April 1966
Clip Duration: 58"
Illustrations: Seán O'Sullivan