IRISH CHATTER... this really fits this blog's concept of As They Were
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150398565571460
The Last Grasp
Ireland, 1584: 'In the aftermath of a cattle-raid into enemy territory two Gaelic-Irish warriors - a light infantry kern and a mailed galloglass - are despatched to comb the woods for stragglers…' The primary thinking behind Claíomh making this short film was to showcase the potential of museum-quality archaeological reproductions when utilised with modern media - in this case relating to 16th century Gaelic-Ireland when native Irish traditions were at their zenith. Set against an environment of what was the most commonly pursued 'sport' at the time i.e. cattle-raiding, and while promoting awareness of an archaeologically accurate portrayal of the visual appearance of Late Medieval Gaelic warriors - the production also lightly touches upon the complicated political situation in Ireland at the time. As a zero-budget pilot `The Last Grasp' was shot within a couple of hours on entirely a voluntary basis with the aim to make vividly assessable this fascinating and rich depository of Irish heritage to a wider audience beyond the conventional confines of academia. Claíomh regards film as a forum into which latest archaeological and historical research can be utilised to harness a realistic graphic to provide a window into Ireland's history and in so doing to create an artistic whole. As short films, 'The Last Grasp' as well as our 1640's themed 'The Flag', represent proto-steps in what is hoped will be a long journey of discovery in the medium. Reconstructed artefacts featured in this film include swords from Co Offaly (Ballylin) and Co Galway (one each from the River Corrib – near Galway City - and the River Suck – near Ballinasloe), and a `sparth' axe from Co Tyrone (River Blackwater, Clonteevy). The sets of clothing worn by the characters are copied from contemporary illustrations such as the anonymous `Drawn on the quick' (c.1544) kept in the Ashmoleum Museum in Oxford and Albrecht Dürer's `Thus go the soldiers of Ireland, beyond England…' (1521) at the Kupferstichkabinett, Staatliche Museen in Berlin. The film was shot in Ireland in Autumn 2010 by members of Claíomh with the invaluable assistance of Josh Plunkett, Alan Mac Úa hAlpine, and Rob Hunt. The primeval soundtrack was specially composed and performed by Brian Conniffe. It's first appearance was at the Experimental Cinema of the Hunter Moon Fest in Carrick-on-Shannon in October 2011. Keep the HQ lights on! Sláinte/DS
Length: ‎5:06
Veteran's Day 'Lest we forget' – The Irish who died in World War One
By
CATHY HAYES,
IrishCentral Staff Writer
CATHY HAYES,
IrishCentral Staff Writer
Published Friday, November 11, 2011, 2:39 PM
Photograph taken near the front-line during WWI's Battle of the Somme
The Irish enlisted in the war for various reasons including to fight for the justice of the cause. However, Ireland during 1914 was deeply divided between nationalist and unionist political groups and more local considerations played a role in signing up.
Among those who signed up was Tom Barry, who later became an IRA commander. He enlisted in the British army in June 1915 "to see what war was like, to get a gun, to see new countries and to feel like a grown man" according to the BBC.
For other Irishmen who signed up money was the major motive. James Connolly, the revolutionary, said Irishmen had no choice but to sign up with employment prospects so bleak in Ireland at the time.
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Others such as Francis Legwidge, poet, nationalist and trade unionist, signed up in response to an unhappy love affair.
The social range of Irish soldiers amongst the ranks was clear. There was the 10th Division who landed at Suvla Bay, in Gallipoli in August 1915. They were made up of the 7th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, including "D" company, who were nicknamed "The Footballers". Among them were a lot of rugby-playing professional men and a professor of law from Dublin University.
Another battalion was made up of Dublin Dockers many of whom were followers of the radical trade unionist James Larkin. The poet Ledwidge served with this battalion. After one battle he wrote "It was a horrible and a great day. I would not have missed it for worlds."
Two other divisions served in France. Both were part of the bloody Battle of the Somme.
The 36th Ulster Division went over the top on the first day, July 1. From a total of 15,000 men they lost 5,500 over two days.
The 15th Irish Division also saw serious action in September 1916 during the Somme campaign. Up the line, in Belgium, the 16th and 36th Divisions fought side by side at the Battle of Messines. During this battle Willie the brother of Irish nationalist politician John Redmond died. Willie had signed up even though he was over 50-years-old. He wrote "I can't stand asking fellows to go and not offer myself".
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John Redmond had called the war one of "Ireland's highest interest" to have a "speedy and overwhelming victory of England and the Allies". He described "a distinctively Irish army, composed of Irishmen, led by Irishmen and trained at home in Ireland".
During the war he said "the achievements of that Irish army have covered Ireland with glory before the world'.
However, due to the fact that the 1916 Easter Rising had taken place during the war, for the most part, these Irish heroes have been forgotten in history.
Tom Kettle, a nationalist politician, killed on the Somme predicted "These men [the 1916 leaders] will go down in history as heroes and martyrs; and I will go down - if I go down at all - as a bloody British officer."
Many of those Irishmen who served in the British army returned to their nationalist neighborhoods greeted with 'begrudgery' and even hostility.
In July 1919, 4,000 people attended an event at Celtic Park in Belfast. It was reported as a "notable demonstration of the part played by Belfast nationalists" in the war.
Joe Devlin, a west Belfast politician, said their fallen comrades had "died not as cowards died, but as soldiers of freedom, with their faces toward the fire, and in the belief that their life-blood was poured out in defense of liberty for the world."
Rare footage of Irish soldiers in the First World War:
