HAIRY JAYSUS is a unique site specific lunchtime performance at Castlecoole by Fermanagh based Theatre Company Exit Does Theatre.
Donal O’Kellys poignant drama is performed by Exit Does Theatres’ artistic director Paddy McEneaney and is based on the events that led up to the execution of Francis Sheehy Skeffington in Easter week 1916. The 60 minute performance at Castlecoole on Friday October 4th from 1.30pm until 3pm will be followed by a Q&A with Patrick. Francis Sheehy-Skeffington was a pacifist, feminist, socialist and atheist who was murdered after being wrongly identified as one of the leaders of the Easter Rising in 1916.
Along with his wife, Hanna, the pint-sized livewire, dubbed ‘Hairy Jaysus’ by his friend James Joyce, relentlessly challenged the societal paralysis Joyce fled. A campaigner for Votes for Women and against recruitment for The Great War, he was jailed for sedition in 1915 and went on hunger-and-thirst strike until released. He was summarily executed in Portobello Barracks Dublin during the Easter Rising of 1916, having been arrested while trying to stop looting during the rebellion. Frank was often called a crank. He wasn’t offended; he said a crank is a small instrument that makes revolutions. In Hairy Jaysus the tragedy of his enforced via dolorosa through Rathmines is ruminated upon by Trod, a homeless guy begging beside an Irish bank ATM in present-day Rathmines.
THE QUIET SHUFFLING OF FEET
Fermanagh Film Club and FLive present the Documentary Film Premiere of The Quiet Shuffling of Feet – An unbreakable spirit faced with unbearable trauma by Fergus Cooper.
It takes place on Monday 7th October at 8pm in Ardhowen Theatre.
A journey in trauma recovery viewed through the life of David Bolton, founding Director of the Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation, researcher and author. An inspiring humanitarian.
At 3.10pm on Saturday 15th of August 1998, a car bomb exploded in Omagh’s main shopping street. 31 people were killed and over 400 injured. Within half an hour David Bolton, then Director of Social Work and Community Care, arrived at Omagh hospital. In the opening sequence, David recalls his long day’s journey into night as the emergency services stretched themselves to respond to the unfolding tragedy.
Originally from Dublin, his father bought a farm near Tempo when David was five. He paints a picture of an idyllic childhood, of
long summer evenings playing games, cycling everywhere and exploring nature. However, for the first time, David discloses his own, early encounter with trauma, pre- Troubles. David trained as a social worker in Jordanstown and when he married Helen settled down to family life in Enniskillen where he secured his first professional position.
For more information and for a full list of events visit Fermanagh Live website.