Contributed by Lisa Marie Griffith
For those of you in and around the capital 27-31st January an event not to miss is the Temple Bar Tradfest. This must be the biggest event that Temple Bar hosts and it is set to get even better this year. The festival looks set to promote not just the traditional aspect of Temple Bar and trad music, there is a Food and Pub trail and free music in pubs throughout the area, they are set to cater for eaveryones tastes- this includes those interested in history! One part of the multi-media and interactive aspect of the festival is the Traditional music in Dublin photogprah exhibition in Temple Bar Gallery & studios. The exhibition is by Castle Ceili Band flute player, Mick O’Connor who is currently writing a history of the Dublin Piper’s Club. ‘The material, much of which has never been on public display before is drawn from Mick’s lifelong and extensive collection of photographs and writings.’ A highlight of the exhibit is the picture inset of the 1916 proclamation signatory Eamon Ceannt who was secretary of the Dublin Piper’s Club. Anyone interested in the history of the club can click here for a longer piece on the Comhaltas blog. The exhibition will appeal to social historians or anyone interested in Traditional Irish music and culture.
Pue's Occurrences 
19 January 2010 at 10:52 |
Your fine photograph of Éamonn Ceannt, probably the least known of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation, reminds me that the National Library has the original letter written by Ceannt to his wife Áine a few hours before he was executed. Written in a clear, steady hand, it begins: “My dearest wife Áine, Not wife but widow before these lines reach you. I am here without hope of this world and without fear, calmly awaiting the end…” While evidencing a lovely tenderness towards his wife and sorrow at their parting, Ceannt’s letter also expresses his absolute confidence that history would vindicate his actions. The letter will be on view in the exhibition, ‘Discover Your National Library: Explore, Reflect, Connect’, opening tomorrow in the Library’s building at 2–4 Kildare Street (the former Heraldic Museum).