The Easter Rising of 1916 is everywhere at the moment. With a new comic dedicated to the Rising being released this week and a new big name movie being announced, the pop culture arena is embracing our great Irish history.
Gerry Hunt, a 73 year old Phibsboro man, has written a colourful comic story about the Irish rebels fight against the British army an Easter 1916. Blood Upon The Rose follows the main action from the story of the Rising, centring on characters like De Valera and Joseph Plunkett.
“I would have loved to do more on the romance between Joseph Plunkett, who was dying with TB, and Grace Clifford, who he married before he was executed,” he told the Evening Herald. Sadly, it’s just 46 pages long. Perhaps he’ll expand on it in the future.
Gerry will be signing copies of Blood Upon the Rose: Easter 1916 in Chapters Bookshop, Parnell Street, at 3pm on Saturday October 24.
And in bigger Hollywoody news, filming will begin early next year on Easter Sixteen, the directorial debut of Irish actor Jason Barry. The high profile film will star Guy Pearce (as Padraig Pearse perhaps?), Chris O’Donnell, Anthony LaPaglia and Elaine Cassidy. Undoubtedly it will be filmed in Dublin - I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
Update: It seems Gary Oldman has also signed up for the movie, playing James Connolly. Nice.
I must get this graphic novel. Looks good.
I’m not a huge Chris O’Donnell fan but Guy Pearce can act so there’s some hope for Easter Sixteen.
Blood on the Rose looks very good.
According to IMDb regarding Easter Sixteen, Jason Barry is directing and playing Casement, his brother Glen is also in the film, Gary Oldman is to play James Connolly and Ian Hart, who was in the Michael Collins film, will play Clarke. I’ll be anticipating this film alright..
Sounds very interesting. I worked in the G.P.O for nearly two years - so have always had a personal (apart from obvious national heritage) interest in this part of Irish history. Sounds like a great cast too for the Easter Sixteen film!
@ Niall - I’m not crazy on Chris O’ Donnell either - a very bland actor - though maybe a lovely guy in real life!
If you want to see a good representation of the easter rising in a gaphic novel I suggest Preacher by Gareth Ennis. Reading it - it strikes me as about as accurate as it can get (maybe without the vampires though?)
@ Pete - yep, agree with you there. Though yes, the vampire part might be pushing it a wee bit!
@Niall @Emlyn I don’t think anyone likes Chris O’Donnell. ‘Bland’ is putting it nicely. But…as long as he’s in a minor supporting role, it could be great.
@Keleher Oldman as well? Excellent. Runs off to edit the post.
@Peter I feel inspired to write the novel Michael Collins, Vampire Hunter
Saw the comic in Hodges during the week. Looks impressive, but as Darren said, very short.
However, Chris O’Donnell is far from the worst thing about the upcoming film. Harper’s Island’s one-expression lead Elaine Cassidy will be truly awful. I don’t know how she got into acting.