Liverpool

It is estimated that up to 50 men and women from Liverpool participated in the 1916 Easter Rising. Some were Irish born while many were born in Liverpool and joined local companies of the Irish Volunteers and Cumann na mBan.

There are a number of creative, community, academic and commemorative events currently being planned in Liverpool to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising and historical events of 1916.

The Embassy is supporting the work of the Liverpool Easter 1916 Commemoration Committee, which is developing a programme of activities next year to examine and commemorate the role played by Liverpool men and women in 1916 Easter Rising. Planned activities to date include: the production of a musical drama entitled The Liverpool Lambs based on the experiences of Liverpool participants in the Easter Rising; a lecture series in conjunction with the Institute of Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool and other institutions across the city; an exhibition and publication on the contribution of Liverpool men and women to the Rising; and a memorial service to commemorate those men and women from Liverpool and District who fought in Dublin in 1916. More information is available on their website or by emailing: liverpooleaster1916@gmail.com

The 20th Conference of Irish Historians, Irish Revolutions, will take place at the University of Liverpool from 1-3 July. The conference, supported by the Embassy of Ireland, will explore the meaning and impact of the 1916 Rising and will situate it within the broader context of revolutionary movements in Irish history. It will include a public lecture by Professor Joe Lee (New York University). For more information, please contact Prof. Ian McBride - ian.mcbride@kcl.ac.uk.

The Institute of Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool is organising a number of other lectures and discussions throughout 2016, details of which will be available on their website.

The 2016 Liverpool Irish Festival, which takes place in October 2016, will include events exploring the themes of Ireland 2016. Building on the success of the 2015 festival, which had over 20,000 visitors, the 10-day festival will take place in diverse venues across Liverpool including galleries, theatres, concert halls, clubs, pubs, community venues and public spaces. The Liverpool Irish Festival is supported through the Irish Government Emigrant Support Programme. Detailed information on the Festival’s 2016 events will be available soon.

The Culture Ireland International Culture Programme for 2016 is also supporting a number of projects in Liverpool, including the presentation of ‘A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing' by Eimear McBride, presented by Corn Exchange in association with Cusack Projects Ltd at the Liverpool Everyman in April and the presentation at the Bluecoat of Dennis McNulty's The Time Domain as part of the 2016 Liverpool Biennial.

We are supporting a number of community projects in Liverpool, including a commemorative event being organised by the Irish Tuesday Club Liverpool at St. Michael’s Centre in April 2016 called Hands across the Water 1916-2016, which will include guest speakers and music, song, film and dance focused on Liverpool’s contribution in 1916.