Ryan Tubridy has revealed his favourite story from his upcoming show '16 Letters and has said the tales reminded him of a "1916 version of Liveline".
’16 Letters is recorded in the GPO and features a variety of letters written before, during and after 1916 brought together to tell a multitude of stories of that seminal year.
There are hard stories from World War I; a love story drawn from a collection of over 100 love letters that unfold over six months of 1916; an account of a child caught up in the crossfire of the week; and we hear from a Capuchin monk who bore witness not just to the Rising but also many of the executions.
There is also a powerful and desperate letter to a wife from a husband condemned to death; a number of very contrasting letters from prisoners in Frongach, the camp in Wales where many 1916 rebels were interned, and a taste of the many letters seeking compensation in the aftermath of the Rising.
Speaking about the letter that stood out for him, Tubridy told TEN, "After the Rising there was a compensation board set up, so if your bike was stolen or your window was smashed or something like that happened, you were entitled to write and get money for replacements.
"They found a whole bunch of letters which was like 1916's version of Liveline with people ringing in to complain about what happened to them - despite the fact that their country had just had this rebellion. It was comical but in context it was kind of a bit of fun."
A 1916 version of Liveline? Tubridy reveals his favourite story from '16 Letters and we agree it is kind of strange!https://t.co/H8kENCrsOl
— RTÉ TEN (@RTE_TEN) March 25, 2016
This 75-minute programme will go behind the headlines of history to emerge with an entirely fresh look at modern Ireland’s bloody birth.
You can watch '16 Letters on RTÉ One on Sunday, March 27 at 7.00pm.
