IT’S lights, camera and plenty of action at Moyderwell Mercy Primary, Tralee, where Muinteoir Eoin’s fifth class have created a film based on the 1916 Rebellion, titled ‘They Fought For Freedom’.
The film is based on local, national and international historical events, circa 1916, and all the pupils of the class researched and recorded various scenes using their school iPads.
The project began last October where the pupils researched and wrote a script, prioritising the events that they thought were most important.
These included Roger Casements trip to Germany, the Role of Women in the Rebellion and the initial public reaction to the Rising.
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Each scene was carefully planned by the children by working in groups and later dramatised in their classrooms prior to filming.
The children spent many weeks collecting and creating props. Costumes were created during art class under the guidance of parent, Catherine Wall.
There was much excitement surrounding the filming, which began in early November on the school grounds and surrounding area in Tralee. During the shooting of various scenes, many of the public stopped to ask about the project.
The children realised the importance of their work and invited another parent, Private Billy Guerin, into the school to train them in military marching.
The final stage of the process consisted of editing the footage, adding sound effects, choosing appropriate background music and finally voting to choose a name for their short film.
Principal of Moyderwell Mercy Primary, Moira Quinlan, praised the children along with their teacher, Eoin Sayers, for their commitment to the project. According to Moira, “the children showed superb enthusiasm as they performed many roles throughout the film making process and are a shining example of the many talents within the school”.
The Premiere of ‘They Fought for Freedom’ will take place on Wednesday, February 24, at Fels Point Hotel, at 7.30pm. All are welcome.
Please R.S.V.P by emailing mercymoyderwell@eircom.net or call 066 7124403.
Its almost sixty years since I first attended Sisters of Mercy Moyderwell School and in those times boys had to vacate after completing second class to attend the new CBS. Different times. It is with regret I realize I missed seeing this film production “they Fought for Freedom” a theme boys and girls of my class under Sister Macalata, would have gladly participated in. Is there a further showing of this film or can a video copy of it be got?
Thanking You
Michael Dunne