Easter Monday will see Dublin city centre transformed by Ireland’s biggest public history and cultural event ever, as RTÉ Reflecting the Rising in partnership with Ireland 2016 invites punters to immerse themselves in the Dublin of 100 years ago.

A free family event taking place north and south of the Liffey, thousands of tickets for talks, exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances, films, interactive activities and more will be made available as organisers look to capture the sights, sounds and stories of the past.

Visitors can choose from 300 talks as historians, leading commentators and relatives of the rebels explore the events of Easter Week and its aftermath, watch hundreds of performers bring the streets alive through drama and music, and find their way through the city past and present with circus acts, fairground attractions, vintage vehicles, story-tellers, pop-up performances, poetry recitations, exhibitions and more

Eight designated family zones will host hands-on workshops in computer gaming, song-writing, story-telling, visual art and speech-writing - all with a 1916 twist. There’s also opportunities to catch Insurrection, the acclaimed 1966 Telefís Éireann drama, in its entirety, and join walking tour guides to bring you on a journey of discovery, showing where blood was spilled and history was made.

There’s a chance to step inside the Four Courts and hear about the Rising in its court rooms from judges and invited speakers, while a real feel of 1916 will be offered in tented craft villages, displaying how things were made a century ago.
O’Connell Street will come alive with music, live broadcasts, exhibitions and street performances, and everyone is invited to arrive in period dress. The Gaiety Theatre, meanwhile, will host a day of discussion and music as well-known Irish people living abroad come home to share their views on where we’re at as a Republic.

The musical talent assembling for the day includes Altan, Sharon Shannon, Declan O’Rourke, the Dublin Gospel Choir, the Contempo Quartet, Mick Moloney, the High Kings, Maura O’Connell, Cór Chuil Aodh and the Rowsome Uileann Piping Quartet; there’s even a Ceilí Mór at Earlsfort Terrace for those of a dancing persuasion.

“1916 is a year of huge emotional and political significance in Irish history,” says Noel Curran, Director-General RTÉ. “Since the beginning of 2016, RTÉ has produced a range of programming and events to allow audiences engage with, reflect on, commemorate and celebrate both 1916 and the past 100 years. As part of our continuing schedule of programming and events, RTÉ Reflecting the Rising promises to be a special public event across Dublin city on Easter Monday. RTÉ, working with Ireland 2016 and a range of other partners, have produced a rich and diverse cultural and historical programme of free events and activities for the public. I very much hope that the public respond, as they did last year, to this great collective effort by filling the streets and the historic buildings of our capital city and joining RTÉ to commemorate and celebrate a century of Irish life.”

“Ireland 2016 is deeply proud to be associated with RTE Reflecting the Rising,” added John Concannon, Director of Ireland 2016. “This is the one of the largest public cultural events ever undertaken in the history of the State and one that embraces the qualities of creativity, participation and inclusivity that represent the very best of the Centenary Programme. Alongside the State Ceremonial event and Parade on Easter Sunday, it forms the centrepiece of our Easter weekend and promises to be a highlight of the year. This wonderful event is a remarkable expression of what people everywhere asked of us – an opportunity to participate and celebrate in a shared expression of pride in our past and hope for our future.”

For a full list of content and events, and to book your free tickets, visit [link]rte.ie/1916[/link].