Brendan O'Carroll: My Family At War

In a deeply personal film, writer and comedian Brendan O’Carroll (Mrs Brown’s Boys) tells the story of the Irish Easter Rising.

Exactly 100 years ago, in Easter week 1916, some 1,600 Irish rebels took over the centre of Dublin. Despite overwhelming odds the rebels held out against the forces of the British Empire for six days, until they were shelled into submission.

Three of those rebels were Brendan O’Carroll’s uncles. Now, on the centenary of the revolt, Brendan tells the dramatic story of the Rising and looks into the part his family played in it. He explores how the Rising, though a complete military failure, sent shock waves through the British Empire and signalled the birth of today’s Irish Republic.

He talks to historians and some of the descendants of the men and women who fought for and against an independent Ireland. The intimate memories, pictures, films and letters they share bring to life different perspectives on the experience his uncles lived through. Through his investigation, he reveals what their story tells us about the wider crisis that shook the British Empire.

With access to freshly released records, Brendan shines new light on a dark and tumultuous chapter that would go on to shape the history of the British Isles for the next century.

Pictured: Brendan O'Carroll at Arbour Hill Cemetery, Dublin.

Publicity contact: YL