Documentary commemorates Flight of the Earls

A documentary is being screened in Dublin to mark the exact date of the Flight of the Earls from Ulster in 1607.

The film starring Oscar-nominated actor Stephen Rea will open at the Irish Film Institute on September 14.

Ulster’s battle-weary chieftains and their families set sail from Lough Swilly for Europe and never returned.

The hugely significant event marked the end of an ancient Gaelic Order, made way for the Plantation of Ulster and helped establish the Irish Diaspora across the globe.

The 53-minute documentary was shot in Ireland, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Italy and stars Rea as the Earl of Tyrone, Hugh O’Neill.

An IFI spokesman said: “Four hundred years ago to the day of this screening, history changed forever.

“This documentary focuses on the reasons for the ’Flight’; the journey across Europe; and the period of exile of Hugh O Neill in Rome.”

Mr Rea will attend the screening and take part in a Q&A session with the audience afterwards.

The Flight of the Earls took place at midday on Friday September 14, 1607 when 99 men, women and children of the Gaelic nobility of Ulster crowded aboard ship at Portnamurry, Rathmullan.

They set sail for Spain, where they tried in vain to muster support from the Catholic King Phillip III and return to liberate Ireland from the English.

Last February, the Government committed 1.25 million euro to fund local events to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Flight of the Earls.

Events taking place include clan gatherings, lectures, exhibitions, festivals and community projects.

An Post also issued two postage stamps featuring illustrations of O’Neill and the Earl of Tyrconnell Rory O’Donnell as they sailed out of Rathmullan, Co Donegal.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said earlier this year the Flight of the Earls marked the beginning of a critical phase in the shaping of the modern Ireland, with its complexities and diverse identities.

Donegal Co Council also launched a multi-lingual website on the Flight of the Earls to cater for locals and foreign tourists.