THE actor who played Martin McGuinness in a film about the St Andrews Agreement is the latest name to be added to the line-up of speakers at Ireland's Future's Together We Can event.
Colm Meaney, who played the late Sinn Féin deputy first minister in The Journey, will join up to a dozen politicians, commentators and figures from the world of entertainment at the October 1 event at Dublin's 3Arena.
The 69-year-old Dublin-born actor is known for playing Miles O'Brien in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Those confirmed to take part in the event include Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald, her deputy Michelle O'Neill, SDLP leader Colum Estwood and TDs Jim O'Callaghan and Neale Richmond of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, respectively.
Also speaking at the three-hour afternoon event are Ben Collins, a former British government press officer who previously campaigned on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, Limerick rapper Denise Chaila and National Women’s Council of Ireland director Orla O'Connor.
Billed as the largest gathering in recent memory to discuss a border poll and a new and united Ireland, the audience will also hear performances from Planxty, the Bothy Band and Moving Hearts, among others.
Ireland's Future CEO Gerry Carlile said the October event was "shaping up to be truly historic".
"Colm Meaney is a massive name in the entertainment world and there will be other high profile, very well known figures announced in the days and weeks ahead," he said.
Mr Carlile said one of the main themes to be explored at the event would be how Ireland is governed in the future.
"Are we content to be governed from Westminster, by a government in continuous turmoil, that we don’t even elect ourselves?" he said.
"Is that the future we want for ourselves, our children and their children? Or do we want to elect our own government in an independent, united Ireland and at least have a democratic say on who governs us?
"There is so much to discuss and it really is a very exciting time for our island and its people."
:: Tickets for Ireland's Future's Togther We Can are available from ticketmaster.ie
