A DOCUMENTARY on the life and execution by British soldiers of Ulster journalist and pacifist Frank Sheehy Skeffington will be screened on TG4 next week.
In a way a sideways glance at 1916, Sheehy Skeffington: Síocháiní (Pacifist) looks back at the story of Sheehy Skeffington, who was born in Cavan but grew up in Downpatrick and who was executed at the start of the Easter Rising a century ago.
He was an eyewitness to key moments in Irish history, a friend of James Joyce, a colleague of James Connolly and husband of one of Ireland's most prominent feminist activists, Hanna Sheehy Skeffington.
The documentary looks at the cultural revival in Dublin in early 1900s, the impact of the First World War, Sheehy Skeffington's relationship with Thomas MacDonagh, his arrest for anti-recruiting speeches in 1915, the time he spent in the US, his death, secret burial and the inquiry into his death.
His killing by firing squad in Portobello Barracks, Rathmines, made headlines across the world. A Royal Irish Rifles officer, Captain JC Bowen-Colthurst, was court martialled and sent to Broadmoor, having successfully pleaded insanity and escaped a murder conviction.
The film’s producer Deaglán Ó Mocháin says Sheehy Skeffington spent his formative years in Downpatrick in Co Down, since he was a young child until he left for university in Dublin.
“The family had an address in Irish Street and there remain Skeffingtons and Magorrians (his mother's family) in the area who are related to the family,” he says.
“We felt this story is worth telling because both Frank and his wife were involved in every progressive issue in Ireland, from votes for women, to social and economic justice, to restricting church influence on education.
“They were frustrated at the slow pace of change in Ireland, as young, educated, and idealistic people like themselves struggled to find a place in a country that was changing rapidly.”
He explains how Sheehy Skeffington was a founding member of the Irish Citizen Army, despite being a pacifist.
“He wanted the ICA to act as a protective force against police brutality. He had himself been assaulted by the RIC and witnessed others being beaten off the streets at peaceful gatherings. Once the ICA became a more militant, offensive force under James Connolly, Frank resigned.”
There was widespread disbelief when Sheehy Skeffington was executed, says Ó Mocháin.
“James Connolly had requested that Frank act as the executor of his will and only found out about his death shortly before his own execution. He couldn't believe that a pacifist like Frank had been killed.
“Hanna went on a tour of the US to speak of her experience and she was able to point to the fact that the British had killed a pacifist who had verbally opposed the war, and had helped to cover up the crime.”
Among those to feature in the film are Micheline Sheehy Skeffington, the granddaughter of Frank and Hanna.
:: Sheehy Skeffington: Síocháiní will air on TG4 on Tuesday March 8 at 9.30pm.
