THE community of Ogonnelloe have vowed not to be beaten in their efforts to celebrate the anniversary of the 1916 Rising this weekend.

While the ongoing lock-down means that a production of a commemorative show entitled ‘O’Gonnelloe Remembers’ could not be publicly performed, the feast of music, song and poetry will now be released on Facebook next Sunday night at 8pm.

The show sees people from around the parish taking on the roles of leading revolutionary figures in what is described as an “emotionally-charged” remembrance of the Rising. All week long, amateur actors have been getting into costume and capturing themselves on camera phone. Their performances are now being edited alongside archival and drone footage by Tubber man Brian Ruane, a professional videographer and editor.

Sunday night’s release is eagerly anticipated locally and is set to bring back happy memories of a major commemorative event which took place locally in 2016 to mark the Rising’s centenary. Director Louise Donnellan said the energy behind the production was a huge credit to everyone. “We had a plan to stage the performance, but the lock-down put paid it that,” she said. “We were determined not to be beaten and to remember 1916 by getting the show out and in front of an audience one way or another. All of the individual performances have been filmed on people’s phones and Brian is working hard to put everything together. We will bring together the history and the background to the Rising as well as music, personalities, songs and stories that relate to it. We would usually stage three to four shows a year and we’re hoping that as many as possible of our regular audiences will get to see the production.”

‘O’Gonnelloe Remembers’ will be posted to the Ogonelloe Exchange Facebook page on Sunday next (April 12) at 8pm.