The 225th Commemoration Committee worked with Longford based Harp Media to create a documentary telling the story of the 1798 Rebellion and the Battle of Ballinamuck where combined Irish and French forces made a brave stand against the Crown Forces. The documentary outlines the impact that both the Rebellion and the Battle has on Irish history.
The documentary is produced by Harp Media – an award-winning, Longford based multi-discipline film production company (Lakelands, 2022). Narrated by Seamus O’Rourke, the documentary includes interviews with prominent historians such as Professor Kevin Wheelan, Dr. Ida Milne, Dr. Mel Farrell and Paddy Cullivan, together with large scale recreations of the battle itself. Many of those featured in the recreations are members of our community.
The documentary tells the story of
- The importance of the 1798 Rebellion in laying the foundations for Ireland today
- The background and wider national context of the 1798 Rebellion including the international context of the American War of Independence and the French Revolution
- The sociological, economic and ideological forces that inspired the United Irishmen and led to the rebellion
- The key battles (including Wexford) of the 1798 Rebellion
- The French involvement
- The Battle of Ballinamuck itself
- The lasting impact the 1798 Rebellion had on the people of North Longford and South Leitrim and how it influenced the Land Wars in Drumlish in the 1880’s and The War of Independence from 1919-1921.
Ballinamuck premiered in the Backstage Theatre, Longford on Friday, 30th August to a full house. It is hoped the this documentary will tell our story for years to come.
