Attending the Film Premiere of The Dying Days  were Michael Farrell, John Foley, Cllr John O’Leary, Mayor Waterford City & Co.Council. Cllr Damien Geoghegan and Cllr Tomas Phelan.
Photo Sean Byrne

DUNGARVAN screened a docudrama on the waning months of the Irish Civil War (1922-23) with its key focus on General Liam Lynch.

‘The Dying Days’ follows the events that led to the death of the Chief of Staff of the IRA in 1923, and how it effectively led to the end of the war.

Towards the end of the war, Lynch established a secret headquarters in the Knockmealdown Mountains on the Waterford-Tipperary border, shortly before he was captured by Free State forces.

On April 10, 1923, he suffered a rifle wound after taking fire from the Free State army, and died in a Clonmel hospital two days later.

His successor Frank Aiken called for a cease in military operations, effectively ending the war.

Pictured left to right: Conor Nelligan, Cork County Council, John Foley, Cllr Jon O’Leary, Mayor Waterford City & County Council and Bernadette Guest, Waterford City & County Council.
Photo Sean Byrne

‘The Dying Days’ was produced by John Foley and directed by Deirdre Collender and opened to a packed auditorium at [email protected] on Wednesday, February 9.

The premiere was organised by Waterford City and County Council under the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023.

Mayor of Waterford John O’Leary commended the significance of the film and how it presents such a momentous part of Irish history.

Pictured left to right: Tony Whelan, John Foley and Cllr Jody Power.
Photo Sean Byrne

He said: “Where history and creative media come together in a project such as this, it allows  great engagement and access to our history.

“It’s a living history where the audience are not just presented with the historical facts but  get to imagine the emotion and gain an insight into the complexity of a very sensitive period in our history.”

Cllr O’Leary also highlighted the hard work of the production team, historians and locals, and descendants behind the film, particularly from the Comeraghs and Knockmealdowns.

He continued: “You have all done a fine job and can be very proud of the outcome.”

After the screening, the audience was treated to a live re-enaction of Free Staters and Anti-Treaty forces, followed by a Q&A with the producer John.

The film is next scheduled to screen in Cork and Dungarvan over the upcoming months to mark the Centenary of 1923.

To find out more, go to johnfoleyimages.com