Written and Performed by

Brendan Begley (accordion/ vocals) and Mike Hanrahan (guitar/ vocals)

Ballymaloe Grainstore

Sunday 10 April, 8pm

Ballymaloe Grainstore honours the Easter Rising Centenary with Dublin Burning, a concert by two of Ireland’s top musicians on Sunday 10 April.  Brendan Begley (accordion/ vocals) and Mike Hanrahan (guitar/ vocals) will tell the story of Ireland’s 1916 Easter Rising through songs, music, poetry and stories of the era spanning 1890 to 1916.

“It was a momentous time in our history when Dublin burned with desire, passion, anger, sadness and pride,” says Mike.   “Dublin Burning will draw people to the story start a ripple that will send them nd away with an understanding of a poignant, powerful, sad, sometimes gruesome,  heroic and extremely important period of our history.”

Dublin Burning will illuminate and educate - but most of all it will entertain.  The show’s visit to Ballymaloe Grainstore is part of a national tour that has been selling-out venues all over the country.

Brendan and Mike take songs familiar to generations of Irish people and shine a light on their significance.  Well-known tunes include Óró ‘Sé do bheatha ‘bhaile, The Tri-Coloured Ribbon, A Nation Once Again, James Connolly, and A Soldiers Song.  The latter would eventually be translated into Irish and become the national anthem.

They are not historians but just two writers, musicians and singers who happened to read a small library concerning a group of extraordinary men and women who lived in Ireland around a hundred years ago.

“In our reading we discovered songs, stories and incredible characters who took part in an armed revolution  that would change Ireland forever,” continues Mike.  “Their Ireland was a country in a cultural revolution celebrating the rebirth of its language, music, song, art, history and folklore against a backdrop of British rule.  Irrespective of religion or class, they believed that the natural progression of  a cultural revolution could only lead to a free and independent  Republic of Ireland.”

Tickets for Dublin Burning in Ballymaloe Grainstore are €20 and can be booked online at www.ballymaloegrainstore.com or by phone on 021 465 2531.  Sunday buffet at 6pm and ticket are €65.