O’CONNELL Street is set to be transformed next Monday for a super event that promises to send the city’s main thoroughfare back in time.
The Road to the Rising festival will recreate the streetscape in 1916 style and play out some of the events that led to the historic rebellion.
Organisers say O’Connell Street will come alive with stage and street performances, vintage exhibitions, talks, tours and broadcasts.
Visitors will be able to experience some of the sights, sounds and people of the capital as they were almost 100 years ago.
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Christy Burke, is looking forward to the event and is hoping Dubliners will join in.
“I invite everyone who has an interest in this period of our history to join us on O’Connell Street on Easter Monday for what promises to be an enjoyable and memorable family day out as we look ahead to the Centenary just one year from now,
? he said.
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, said Road to the Rising promises to be an excellent lead into the launch of Ireland 2016, the national initiative to mark the Centenary of the Easter Rising.
“Road to the Rising is a fantastic platform through which Irish people can approach the events of 1916 in a way that is interesting and engaging for all ages,
? she said.
On Monday at the GPO, the National Library’s team of archivists and historians are inviting the public to bring along items of interest connected with The Rising, where they can discuss how they would like to have their family memorabilia recorded for future generations.
This will be a free ticketed event and demand for these sessions is likely to be strong so early booking is essential (visit rte.ie/1916 or call 01-6030346).
Donal Connell, Chief Executive with An Post, said he was delighted to support what he described as
“a wonderful programme of events
?.
“It is fitting that the GPO will be central to proceedings as it was over Easter weekend 1916,
? he said.
“It’s fitting also that the event will mark the countdown to the official opening of our own interpretive exhibition centre, GPO Witness History, in Easter 2016.
?
Highlights of the day will also include an Edwardian stage presentation of some of Ireland’s best known singers, musicians and bands that will perform music of the era.
Performers will include Jack L, The High Kings, and the Rathmines & Rathgar Musical Society.
There will also be on-street displays and exhibitions, a vintage carousel, an Edwardian wedding, silent movies at a cinemobile, a horse-drawn hearse, a hot air balloon, a steam engine, and cars from the era.
People on the day can choose from more than 60 lectures, talks and discussions that will take place at various locations around O’Connell Street.
On the main stage of the Abbey Theatre historians and social commentators will consider and imagine a country on the cusp of revolutionary change. The talks will be enhanced by readings and dramatic performances.
The Road to the Rising is being organised by Dublin City Council, An Post and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in partnership with RTÃ? and with the collaboration and support of the National Library, Transport for Ireland and the local business sector.