‘Frognoch - University of Revolution’, a new drama documentary from Midas Productions, premieres on TG4 this Wednesday 11th April at 9.30pm. The show focuses on a prisoner of war camp in North Wales which has been described as 'Britain's biggest blunder' – 1,800 Irish rebels were interned here after the Easter Rising.
The camp brought together the cream of a generation of revolutionary nationalists including thirty future TD’s and one future President. Dubbed 'the University of Revolution', it was here that the seeds were sown for the War of Independence, and where men like Michael Collins rose to prominence.
The story of this episode in Irish history is told through the words of the men who were actually there, as recorded in their letters and diaries of the time, focusing on three men in particular:
• Michael Collins,(played by Nick Lee) who first came to prominence as
a leader in Frongoch.
• Séamas Ó Maoileóin, (played by Stephen Darcy) who was a teacher of
Irish and would later be a successful spy.
• Joe Stanley from Dublin, the "Printer to the Easter Rising". He was
responsible for printing the war bulletins during Easter week, and kept detailed accounts of his time in Frongoch, even noting Collins' 100 yards time in the Frongoch sports. Joe, uniquely, is played by his own great grandson, Trevor Stanley.
The documentary is directed by Rosi Nic Cionnaith and photographed by DOP Russell Gleeson. Ifor ap Glyn is producer for Midas Productions (Ireland) and Cwmni Da (Wales). Finance was supported by the BCI, TG4 and S4C.
