Toby Jones, the voice of Dobby in the Harry Potter films, Dr Zola in Captain America and Lance in the Detectorists, appears twice on the festival programme.
On Saturday he will perform a short piece of Beckett’s prose in the Breandrum Chapel of Rest in Enniskillen and on Sunday morning he will take a boat out to Devenish Island with his audience.
Image caption,Dunbar says Toby Jones is a “great Beckett fan”
There the pilot will switch off the engine, and the boat will drift as Jones reads two sections from the end of Beckett’s Krapp’s Last Tape.
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The festival will also feature local and international talent including BBC’s Conversations with Friends Tadhg Murphy, Dame Sarah Connolly, Fleur Barron and Liam Ó’Maonlaí.
A range of local venues are featured in the festival including the Marble Arch Caves, an upland mountain bog, the Regal and Enniskillen Royal Grammar.
‘A wonderful fit’
Dunbar’s interest in Beckett was sparked when he saw a production of Waiting for Godot while studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
“Beckett disappeared off my radar for a while after that, but when the festival arrived it rekindled my interest in him,” he told BBC News NI.
“I wanted to get behind the festival because I felt it would be a wonderful fit for the town of Enniskillen, the town would respond to it, and so it has.”
Image caption,Devenish Island is the backdrop for a number of productions
Dunbar will direct a 12-minute play taking place on the 9th century monastic Devenish Island starring Vincent Higgins and Lalor Roddy as the Reader and Listener.
An intimate audience, a maximum of 48 people, will be transported by boat to the island at sunset.
“Ohio Impromptu really suits being done I believe on the island as it mentions the Ile aux Cygnes which is an Island in Paris that both Joyce and Beckett used to walk along chatting to one another.
“I think it’s a beautiful experience and I think that it is one of the major things that makes the festival successful is these experiences you have engaging with Beckett’s work because the work is curated in very interesting places.”
Image caption,Adrian Dunbar said the festival had rekindled his interest in Beckett
Beckett in Folkestone, a newly commissioned work which has never been seen before in Ireland will also feature at the festival.
It tells the imagined stories of three people who may have encountered Beckett in Folkestone in 1960 when he travelled there to marry his long-time partner.
A series of three monologues will be delivered in venues across the town including Blakes of the Hollow and Enniskillen Castle.
The audience will hear from a receptionist, journalist and a wedding witness.
Festival founder and artistic director Seán Doran said he was delighted to be bringing back the international festival after a three year enforced silence by Covid-19.
“It is a truly special festival, attracting not only international names and faces but also audiences from across the globe,” he added.
The Happy Days Enniskillen International Beckett Festival will take place from 21 July to 25 July.
On Monday 9th of August 1971 Interment Without Trial was introduced by the British Government in the North of Ireland. This policy was implemented by the British Army at 4am on that particular summer morning. The British Army directed the campaign against the predominately Catholic community with the stated aim to “shock and stun the civilian population”.
Between 9th and 11th of August 1971, over 600 British soldiers entered the Ballymurphy area of West Belfast, raiding homes and rounding up men. Many, both young and old, were shot and beaten as they were dragged from their homes without reason. During this 3 day period 11 people were brutally murdered.
All 11 unarmed civilians were murdered by the British Army’s Parachute Regiment. One of the victims was a well known parish priest and another was a 45 year old mother of eight children. No investigations were carried out and no member of the British Army was held to account. It is believed that some of the soldiers involved in Ballymurphy went on to Derry some months later where similar events occurred. Had those involved in Ballymurphy been held to account, the events of Bloody Sunday may not have happened.
The terrible events which took place in Ballymurphy in 1971 have for too long remained in the shadows. Here we, the families of those murdered, put the spotlight on how 11 innocent people met their deaths over a three day period in August 1971.
The Massacre – Chronology 9th August 1971
On the 9th of August 1971, at roughly 8:30pm, in the Springfield Park area of West Belfast, a local man was trying to lift children to safety when he was shot and wounded by the British Army’s Parachute Regiment. Local people tried to help the wounded man but were pinned back by the Parachute Regiment’s gunfire. Local parish priest, Father Hugh Mullan, telephoned the Henry Taggart army post to tell them he was going into the field to help the injured man.
Father Mullan entered the field, waving a white baby grow. He anointed the injured man, named locally as Bobby Clarke. Having identified that Bobby had received a flesh wound and was not fatally wounded, Father Mullan attempted to leave the field. At this point Father Mullan was fatally shot in the back.
On witnessing such events another young man of 19 years, Frank Quinn, came out of his place of safety to help Father Mullan. Frank was shot in the back of the head as he tried to reach Father Mullan. The bodies of Father Hugh Mullan and Frank Quinn lay where they were shot until local people could safely reach them. Their bodies remained in neighbouring homes until they could be safely removed the next morning.
Tension was rising in the community as local youths fought back against the army’s horrendous campaign. Families were fleeing their homes in Springfield park as they came under attack from loyalist mobs approaching from the direction of Springmartin. Parents frantically searched for their children. Local men were still being removed from their homes, beaten and interned without reason. All this and at the same time the people of Ballymurphy were trying to live a normal life. Local people had started gathering at the bottom of Springfield Park, an area known locally as the Manse. Some of those gathering included Joseph Murphy who was returning from the wake of a local boy who drowned in a swimming accident. Joan Connolly and her neighbour Anna Breen stopped as they searched for their daughters. Daniel Teggart also stopped as he returned from his brother’s house which was close to Springfield Park. Daniel had gone to his brother’s house to check on his brother’s safety as his house had been attacked as local youth targeted the Henry Taggart Army base located near by. Noel Phillips, a young man of 19 years, having just finished work walked to Springfield park to check on the local situation.
Without warning the British Army opened fire from the direct of the Henry Taggart Army base. The shooting was aimed directly at the gathering. In the panic people dispersed in all directions. Many people took refuge in a field directly opposite the army base. The army continued to fire and intensified their attack on this field.
Noel Phillips was shot in the back side. An injury that was later described in his autopsy as a flesh wound. As he lay crying for help, Joan Connolly, a mother of 8 went to his aid. Eye witnesses heard Joan call out to Noel saying “It’s alright son, I’m coming to you”.
In her attempt to aid Noel, Joan was shot in the face. When the gun fire stopped Noel Phillips, Joan Connolly, Joseph Murphy and many others lay wounded. Daniel Teggart, a father of 14, lay dead having been shot 14 times.
A short time later a British Army vehicle left the Henry Taggart Army base and entered the field. A solider exited the vehicle, and to the dismay of the local eye witnesses, executed the already wounded Noel Phillips by shooting him once behind each ear with a hand gun.
Soldiers then began lifting the wounded and dead and throwing them into the back of the vehicle. Joseph Murphy, who had been shot once in the leg, was also lifted along with the other victims and taken to the Henry Taggart Army base. Those lifted, including Joseph Murphy, were severely beaten. Soldiers brutally punched and kicked the victims. Soldiers jumped off bunks on top of victims and aggravated the victims’ existing wounds by forcing objects in to them. Mr Murphy was shot at close range with a rubber bullet into the wound he first received in the field. Mr Murphy died three weeks later from his injuries.
Joan Connolly, who had not been lifted by the soldiers when they first entered the field, lay wounded where she had been shot. Eye witnesses claimed Joan cried out for help for many hours. Joan was eventually removed from the field around 2:30am on 10th August. Autopsy reports state that Joan, having been repeatedly shot and bled to death.
10th August 1971
Eddie Doherty, a father of two from the St James’ area of West Belfast, had visited his elderly parents in the Turf Lodge area, on the evening of Tuesday 10th August to check on their safety during the ongoing unrest. He was making his way home along the Whiterock road, as he approached the West Rock area he noticed a barricade which had been erected by local people in an attempt to restrict access to the British Army.
A local man named Billy Whelan, known to Eddie, stopped him and the pair passed commented on the ongoing trouble. At the same time a British Army digger and Saracen moved in to dismantle the barricade. From the digger, a soldier from the Parachute Regiment opened fire. Eddie was fatally shot in the back. Local people carried him to neighbouring homes in an attempt to provide medical attention but Eddie died a short time later from a single gun shot wound.
11th August 1971
At roughly 4am on 11th August. John Laverty, a local man of 20 years, was shot and killed by soldiers from the British Army’s Parachute regiment. Joseph Corr, a local father of 6, was also shot and wounded by the same regiment. Mr Corr died of his injuries 16 days later. The Parachute Regiment’s account stated that both men were firing at the army and were killed as the army responded. Neither men were armed and ballistic and forensic evidence tested at the time disproved the army’s testimony.
Pat McCarthy, a local community worker who came to work in Ballymurphy from England, was shot in the hand on the same day as he was attempting to leave the local community centre to distribute milk and bread to neighbouring families. A few hours later and nursing his wounded hand, Pat decided to continue with the deliveries. He was stopped by soldiers from the British Army’s Parachute Regiment who harassed and beat him.
Eye witness’ watched in horror as the soldiers carried out a mock execution on Pat by placing a gun in his mouth and pulling the trigger, only for the gun to be unloaded. Pat suffered a massive heart attack and the same soldiers stopped local people from trying to help Pat. As a result Pat died from the ordeal.
John McKerr, a father of 8 and a carpenter from the Andersonstown Road area, was carrying out repair work in Corpus Christi chapel on the 11th August. John took a short break to allow the funeral of a local boy, who drowned in a swimming accident, to take place. As he waited outside the chapel for the funeral mass to end, John was shot once in the head by a British solider from the Army’s Parachute Regiment.
Despite the harassment of the British Army, local people went to his aid and remained at his side until an ambulance arrived. One local woman, named locally as Maureen Heath, argued with the soldiers as they refused to allow John to be taken in the ambulance. John was eventually taken to hospital but died of his injuries 9 days later having never regained consciousness.
A man who died after falling from a Co Antrim bonfire has been named locally as John Steele, with the Larne community said to be “numb” with shock.
The father aged in his 30s was confirmed to be “assisting in the building of the bonfire”, according to the PSNI, when he died after falling on Saturday night.
The accident happened at the Antiville pyre, not far from the larger one which has been in the headlines in recent days.
It is understood officials from the local council will now begin the process of removing the bonfire from the site.
A eulogy at the bonfire site will also be held from 10.30pm in Mr Steele’s memory, with the Antiville bonfire group saying anyone wishing to “pay their respects” are welcome.
John Steele who died after falling from a bonfire in Larne
The tragedy comes less than 48 hours before bonfires are lit across Northern Ireland in celebration of the Twelfth.
“John’s daughter Macy-Lee has recently joined the band and we extend our deepest condolences to her.
“The band also have close ties to the Steele family and we are especially thinking of our members Tia and Tamera Steele. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the entire family at this hard time.”
A local minister has described the sense of shock in the Larne community following the death.
Speaking during their morning service, Craigy Hill Presbyterian Church minister Ben Preston told those gathered: “I am sure you have heard the tragic news of what happened last night.
“Our deepest condolences are with the family and indeed with the whole community. We will be here for you, we will be all too pleased to read God’s word, to pray and to offer a cup of tea.
“We will plan for something maybe here in the afternoon, to offer ministry at the bonfire. I understand from council they are going to be taking the bonfire down which is wholly appropriate.
“We are numb and we are in shock at such an accident and such a tragedy. Continue to hold the family, the community and each other here in your prayers.”
Pacemaker Press: 10 July 2022: A man in his 30s has died after an accident while helping to build a bonfire at a site in County Antrim, police have said.
In a statement to Sunday Life, the Ambulance Service confirmed paramedics were called out just before 10pm last night.
A Northern Ireland Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 21:37 on Saturday 9 July following reports of a person having fallen from a height in the Fairway area of Larne.
“NIAS despatched a Rapid Response Paramedic, 2 Emergency Crews and a doctor to the incident.
“Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, no-one was transported to hospital.”
Pacemaker Press: 10 July 2022: Flowers left at the scene in tribute
Irish Foreign Affairs minister Simon Coveney paid his tribute to Mr Steele, writing: “Very sad and tragic news. Our thoughts are with this young man’s family and friends.”
DUP MP for the area, Sammy Wilson, attended the scene. He said: “It’s a real tragedy. I think his mum was there shortly after it happened. She is shattered by it. A local minister was also there. There was nothing could be done to save his life. People are shocked and horrified.”
SDLP MP Claire Hanna wrote: “Tragic loss of life in Larne last night. Deepest sympathies to the family of this man.”
Ulster Unionist Party MLA John Stewart said it was “tragic news” for the area.
“My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the man’s family, friends and the entire community at this really difficult time,” he said.
“This was a terrible accident and the local community will rally round to give the family as much support as possible.
“I would appeal to everyone to cooperate with the investigation into what happened.”
East Antrim Alliance Party MLA Stewart Dickson tweeted his condolences to Mr Steele’s family.
“Sad news from #Larne as a young man died after falling from a 11th night bonfire being built in Antiville,” he wrote.
“My deepest sympathy goes to his family and friend and the whole community as it reflects on this tragic death.”
Meanwhile, other bonfires across Northern Ireland paid tribute to the man, including the nearby Craigyhill, who wrote on social media: “It is with deepest sympathy the tragedy that happened tonight to a fellow bonfire builder in the Antiville estate in Larne.
“It is with his family wishes that the Craigyhill bonfire carries on and beats the world record in his memory.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his immediate family circle.”
In a statement, the PSNI’s Adrian Bryan said: “Police can confirm that a man in his 30’s has died following an accident at a bonfire site in the Fairway area of Larne last night, Saturday July 9.
“We understand that the man was assisting in the building of the bonfire when this tragic accident occurred. Our thoughts are very much with his family at this time.”
“Our investigation has commenced and we are appealing for witnesses, especially those who were in the area last night around 10.15pm, to come forward and contact us on 101 quoting reference number 1866 09/07/22.
“Alternatively, you can submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”
Five people killed during the Springhill/Westrock Massacre will be remembered on their 50th anniversary today
Connla Young
09 July, 2022 03:00
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane
Relatives and friends will gather today to remember five Catholic people shot dead by the British army 50 years ago.
The victims, including three teenagers and a Catholic priest, died during the Springhill/Westrock Massacre on July 9, 1972.
The dead included Fr Noel Fitzpatrick (42), Paddy Butler (30), 13-year-old Margaret Gargan, John Dougal (16) and 15-year-old David McCafferty.
John Dougal was a member of the Provisional IRA’s youth wing while David McClafferty was linked to the Official IRA’s.
The victims died as gun battles raged in the area.
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane last night said it is “disgraceful that five decades later the families of those killed still do not have answers about what happened to their loved ones,” he said.
“The courage and dignity of the families is in stark contrast to the shameful behaviour of successive British governments that has for decades resisted, covered-up and sought to thwart the families at every turn to ensure the truth is never told.”
Mr Finucane was critical of the British government legacy plans.
“Their courage outshines the shameful actions of the Tory government that seeks to provide amnesty to the British soldiers that carried-out the atrocities in Springhill and all state forces who killed Irish citizens,” he said.
“The British government should listen to the voices of victims, families, political parties and the Irish government who are all opposed to these plans and want them scrapped.”
He called for the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement.
A memorial march will take place at 1pm from Springhill Drive today.
