Easter Rising 1916 Centenary Concert
DUBLIN BURNING
Written and Performed by
Brendan Begley (accordion/ vocals) and Mike Hanrahan (guitar/ vocals)
Ballymaloe Grainstore
Sunday 10 April, 8pm (Tickets €20)
Ballymaloe Grainstore honours the Easter Rising Centenary with Dublin Burning, a concert by two of Ireland’s top musicians on Sunday 10 April. Brendan Begley (accordion/ vocals) and Mike Hanrahan (guitar/ vocals) will tell the story of Ireland’s 1916 Easter Rising through songs, music, poetry and stories of the era spanning 1890 to 1916.
“It was a momentous time in our history when Dublin burned with desire, passion, anger, sadness and pride,” says Mike. “Dublin Burning will draw people to the story start a ripple that will send them nd away with an understanding of a poignant, powerful, sad, sometimes gruesome, heroic and extremely important period of our history.”
Dublin Burning will illuminate and educate – but most of all it will entertain. The show’s visit to Ballymaloe Grainstore is part of a national tour that has been selling-out venues all over the country.
Brendan and Mike take songs familiar to generations of Irish people and shine a light on their significance. Well-known tunes include Óró ‘Sé do bheatha ‘bhaile, The Tri-Coloured Ribbon, A Nation Once Again, James Connolly, and A Soldiers Song. The latter would eventually be translated into Irish and become the national anthem.
They are not historians but just two writers, musicians and singers who happened to read a small library concerning a group of extraordinary men and women who lived in Ireland around a hundred years ago.
“In our reading we discovered songs, stories and incredible characters who took part in an armed revolution that would change Ireland forever,” continues Mike. “Their Ireland was a country in a cultural revolution celebrating the rebirth of its language, music, song, art, history and folklore against a backdrop of British rule. Irrespective of religion or class, they believed that the natural progression of a cultural revolution could only lead to a free and independent Republic of Ireland.”
Tickets for Dublin Burning in Ballymaloe Grainstore are €20 and can be booked online at www.ballymaloegrainstore.com or by phone on 021 465 2531. Sunday buffet at 6pm and ticket are €65.