Pittsburgh’s 1916 Rising Committee Releases Full Schedule for April’s Commemoration Weekend

Renowned Irish Author and Historian Tim Pat Coogan to join Pittsburgh Irish Classical Theatre (PICT) to Headline April 15-17, 2016 Commemoration Weekend

Pittsburgh, PA, March 3, 2016 – The Pittsburgh 1916 Easter Rising Committee, which was formed to plan the region’s commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the keystone event to establish an Irish Republic, has released the full schedule of activities for Commemoration Weekend to take place April 15-17, 2016.32155-1916logo-6-v2

Commemoration Weekend will take place one week before the 100th Anniversary of the Easter Rising, which will be celebrated throughout Ireland, the U.S., and around the world.  Pittsburgh’s Committee has developed   a program that includes a variety of educational, traditional entertainment, social and interactive events over a three-day period:

Friday, April 15th Setting the Stage: An Evening of History, Performance, Reflection – Alan Stanford, Artistic and Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre (PICT), will direct a series of vignettes that will take attendees on a musical and poetic journey to Ireland at the turn of the 20th Century. At that time, the winds of global change were stirring and the leaders of the Rebellion sought to include Ireland with other small nations seeking independence and democratic rule.  The leaders of the Easter Rising were poets, educators and artists who knew there would be no turning back.  The program will feature the soulful words and works of those who died to establish a free republic.

A special historical exhibit will be on hand to provide context for this one-of-a-kind evening, which will be held at The Priory Grand Hall on Pittsburgh’s North Side.  Doors will open for the event, which includes Irish-themed hors d’oeuvre and a cash bar, at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 16thIreland’s Sporting Tradition: A GAA Football Exhibition The official program will showcase the Pittsburgh Gaelic Athletic Association (PGAA) and host a special exhibition of Irish football and hurling.  Dating back to 1884, the GAA has provided the Irish people with two of their most favorite pastimes – football and hurling. With free admission, Pittsburghers are invited to discover why so many in Ireland and the U.S. love these popular sports.  The event, which will feature the Pittsburgh Banshees Ladies Football team, and the Pittsburgh Pucas Men’s Hurling team, will also feature an exhibition game between the Pittsburgh Celtics Men’s Football team and the Cleveland GAA.  It will be held at Cupples Stadium on the Southside, starting at 12 Noon.

Saturday, April 16thPittsburgh Céili: An Evening of Irish Culture, Friendship, Music & Dance Saturday evening’s program is centered on exploring the full joy and richness of Irish culture through Irish music,  céili dancing, and socializing.  The event will feature traditional Irish music by local seisún musicians, ballads from Jim Lamb, and a performance by the Shovlin Academy of Irish Dance.

This event, which will include food, soft drinks, beer and wine, will be held at the Teamsters Temple in Lawrenceville on Butler Street.  Doors will open at 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 17thCreating Understanding: Putting it All Together Renowned Irish author and historian Tim Pat Coogan will headline the Sunday afternoon program. He has spent the majority of his life documenting, preserving and helping to interpret the meaning of Ireland’s history over the past 100 years.  A full bio of Mr. Coogan is available on request.

This program, which will be moderated by Pittsburgh’s Michael Bartley, will explore the history of the Easter Rising and the aftermath of the rebellion.

This program will also feature a special historical exhibit, and the Presentation of Awards to Student Literary & Visual Arts Contest Finalists, high school and middle school students who participated in a special art, essay and poetry contest centered on The Rising.

The Grand Hall at the Priory on Pittsburgh’s North Side is the location.  Doors will open for the event, which includes luncheon and cash bar, at 12 Noon.

Cities around the world that will mark the Centenary of The Rising with special events and programs include: Washington, D.C., New York, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Sydney, Melbourne, Brasilia, London, Abu Dhabi, Helsinki, among many others.

About Easter 1916: Pittsburgh Remembers

The Pittsburgh 1916 Easter Rising Committee was formed to plan and conduct the region’s centenary activities of the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland that will be part of the global commemoration of the Irish Republic’s 100th anniversary.  These activities will follow the theme: Easter 1916: Pittsburgh Remembers. The Rising is largely regarded as the pivotal event that led ultimately, to the establishment of what is now recognized as the Republic of Ireland.

Easter 1916: Pittsburgh Remembers is underwritten in part by the Consulate General of Ireland in New York, the Irish Society for Education and Charity, The men’s and women’s Ancient Order of Hibernians, The Year of Remembrance Committee (TYORC), Trebuchet Consulting, the Irish American Unity Conference and many other individual donors and organizations.

For ticket information, call 412.854.8845 or visit http://www.pittsburghremembers1916.com/commemoration-weekend/.

And for access to an extensive amount of background on Easter 1916: Pittsburgh Remembers, visit: www.PittsburghRemembers1916.com.  Visit Facebook at Easter 1916: Pittsburgh Remembers.  And follow on Twitter at @Pittsburgh1916.