The Ringsend and Irishtown annual Community Week celebrations will have a definite 1916 flavour this year. A packed timetable of exciting events will start on April 24 and finish up with the Annual May Day Parade on May 2nd. Everyone is invited to get involved and make the most of this very special anniversary.
Here are some of the highlights of planned events. Times, dates and venues are provisional. Check the next issue of NewsFour for the finalised timetable and a more comprehensive list of what’s on and where.
Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year and this is when the Commemorative 1916 celebrations will truly start.
Local pubs will be looking for entrants for the Ringsend Rose 2016 competition. The lucky winner will have a big part to play in celebrations during Community Week. So check if your favourite local is involved and be there in all your finery on the day to be in with a chance of winning. Win or lose, it will be great fun!
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday April 25th – 27th – events and venues have yet to be decided.
Thursday April 28th
Movie Day for kids in the old Regal. This event will be held after school and there will be free ice-cream and sweets, yah!
Quiz Night
Local pubs are invited to put forward a team of their finest quizmasters, or quiz enthusiasts can simply turn up on the night. Enter a table of 4 or 5 at €5 per head. The Grand Final will take place in The Vintage on Thursday 28th (date to be confirmed). Some, but not all, questions will be about 1916 – so gen up!
Friday April 29th
Ringsend Rose (Age 18+)
The final of the Ringsend Rose competition will take place in Clarks on Friday 29th of April.
There’s talk of a Bachelor of the Year competition too, although this has to be confirmed. NewsFour understands that potato peeling skills will be required and you must know how to rock a dress if you want to win the coveted trophy for this event.
Saturday April 30th
Sports Day in Ringsend Park
Soccer Blitz for the 5-7 and 8-10 year olds. There will be a small charge for registration (to cover expenses) which will take place in the Community Centre over a two-day period.
Mammies and Daddies penalty shoot-out. This sounds like fun!
Adult hurling match – organisers are hoping to provide old-style hurls and period kits for the players. If you would like to take part let them know in the Community Centre.
Sunday May 1st
Live Graffiti Workshop
Community celebrations are always a good excuse to improve the look of the neighbourhood. Street artist FINK has agreed to brighten up the pram sheds in Canon Mooney Gardens, subject to agreement. Organisers are hoping to involve Dublin Canvas, who are responsible for the colourful ESB boxes which can be seen around the city. Subject to permission they will soon be coming to Ringsend.
Monday May 2nd
Dress to impress, 1916 style, for the Mayday Parade. We will have more details about the parade in the next issue.
Other events planned for the day include an outdoor Ceili – which will probably take place on the Community Centre bowling green – with live traditional music and dancing from the Clanna Gael set dancers.
Throughout the week there will be an interactive 1916 exhibition. A Terrible Beauty (2012) will be screened. After the screening David Ferrell from Tile Media, who produced the film, will be there with his son Colin for a Q&A session. The venue for this event has yet to be confirmed.
Rehearsals are already underway in the Community Centre, where an original version of The Plough and the Stars will be recorded, to be broadcast during Community Week. Dylan Clayton is looking for voice-over actors (men and women) and production assistants.
There will be storytelling for children in Ringsend Library with Jackie McQueery. Stories will have a 1916 theme and props will be provided so that the kids can join in and bring the stories to life.
Other events currently being planned include the staging of an original play, 25 to Clanwilliam, written by local man Anthony O’Reardon, a Treasure Hunt with parents and kids, and 1916 Walking Tours.
Above: We want your 1916-related stories, photographs, memorabilia, clothes and props for participants.
Image by Steve Whelan.
Members of the Costume Committee are already busy at work designing and making costumes. If you have clothes or props you would like to contribute, or you want to get involved with organising events please contact the Community Centre on 01 660 4789, or Sueann Moore (RCSF) on 0851393571.
By Jennifer Reddin
