RTÉ announces line-up for 1916 Rising centenary

RTÉ has announced details of a series of programmes and events to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising next year.

It said the aim of RTÉ 1916 was to encourage people at home and abroad to “commemorate, celebrate, debate and analyse” the anniversary.

The programme includes a five-part drama series, Rebellion, which starts as the first World War is beginning and follows events through the eyes of three young women and their families.

Liam Neeson will narrate 1916, a three-parter examining the Easter Rising and the events that subsequently led to the establishment of an independent Irish State.

There will be four new Irish-language programmes and a documentary by musician Bob Geldof on the poet WB Yeats.

The Rubberbandits will present a comedy guide to 1916.

School students are also being asked to design their own Proclamations.

‘Unique responsibilities’

Speaking at the launch of the programme, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said RTÉ had “unique responsibilities” as a public service media organisation in commemorating 1916.

“The various strands of programming planned by RTÉ for the coming months will play an enormously important role in educating, enlightening and empowering the Irish public, young and old, with an authentic sense of our culture, history and identity.”

He praised the broadcaster for embracing the challenge involved and creating an “impressive and wide-ranging” slate of programmes and events.

RTÉ director general Noel Curran said the coverage would include events to commemorate the centenary but was not limited to the Rising itself.

“It will also look back at the last hundred years in Ireland and look to the decades ahead of us now.”