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Post by Matt McNamara on Sept 14, 2011 20:50:06 GMT
On Thursday 27th October at 8pm, Riverbank Theatre, Newbridge, there will be a showing of Congo - an Irish Affair documentary film. "Talking to survivors and making wonderful use of both archival footage and reconstruction, Congo – An Irish Affair pieces together the story of people asked to achieve an impossible goal.For one week the fate of the United Nations was in the hands of a battalion of Irish soldiers, surrounded at Jadotville, Congo.155 men were threatened with annihiliation by mercenaries hired by a giant mining company which was trying to tear Congo apart, backed by Britain, France and Belgium" The film makers Brendan Culleton and Irina Maldea will be in Riverbank on the night and after the film will answer any questions the audience may have. You can see a trailer of the film at vimeo.com/23447111 and read a review at www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2011/0902/1224303336528.htmlAdmission €6.00. Box Office Email: boxoffice@riverbank.ie Telephone: (045) 448327 Thanks in advance, Mary (Joe Mallon's other half)
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Post by joemurray on Oct 19, 2011 13:52:32 GMT
Just purchased Fearghal McGarry's book "Rebels Voices From The Easter Rising".Its his edit of 1,773 witness statements collected by the Bureau of Military History.Some partakers input would be covered in half a page,others would have a couple of pages.This depended on the persons memory plus the interest their piece would have with the general public.To cut to the chase, is it not time some one from " the military"got around to collecting the vocal and written memories of The Congo vets.People like Derek Rochford come to mind.The pioneers of Irish UN service which kicked off in The Congo.Not all the recollections would be of a serious nature.Im sure a lot would be funny.And more would be heartbraking.The views of the wife's mothers,and children of these soldiers away from home for months.Days before the internet and easy access to a phone.All statments be kept and the best/most interesting could at some point be published in book form.
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Post by jim on Oct 19, 2011 15:09:09 GMT
Hi Joe. Re; your idea about the Congo Vets. Why restrict it to Congo veterans? Anyway, I approached the UN Veterans Assn about three years ago with the very same idea. Through that Organisation I requested statements from any UN veteran who wanted to participate. (I got little or no response) I then offered to record their memoiries on tape to make it easier, if they so wished, and to have it published (at my own expence if necessary) I'm still waiting for a response.
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