Carrickfergus Town Hall to host play on Sir Arthur Chichester, 400 years on from his death
A play exploring the life and times of Sir Arthur Chichester has been commissioned to mark the 400th anniversary of his death.
The drama sees Chichester, the Governor of Carrickfergus Castle and Lord Deputy of Ireland, called from the grave to answer the charge that in winning the Nine Years War in Ulster, he was guilty of racism and crimes against humanity.
The informative, humorous and challenging drama sees the audience take the role of the jury.
Delivered by Carrickfergus and District Historical Society in partnership with Carrickfergus Museum and supported by the community grant scheme, the innovative approach aims to allow people to engage with their local heritage.
The show will take place on Thursday, December 4 at 7.30pm in Carrickfergus Town Hall; tickets are £5 and can be purchased at https://thebraid.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173669049
Chichester was a brave soldier and a successful administrator who helped create and implement the Plantation of Ulster. The consequences of his actions and policies are evident in the rural, urban, political and ethnic landscapes of Ulster today.
Unlike his contemporaries, Chichester promoted the Irish language, did not view the defeated Irish as intellectually inferior, and tried to involve them in the Plantation of Ulster.
However, he used scorched earth tactics to defeat Hugh O’Neill and was mainly responsible for the Flight of the Earls. He imprisoned Con O’Neill (c.1574 -1619), the last Gaelic lord of Belfast, in Carrickfergus Castle and ‘made dainty’ to hang him.
In this courtroom drama the prosecutor is John Mitchel (1815 – 1875), an unrepentant, physical force Irish republican, American Confederate and enthusiastic supporter of slavery.
The defence lawyer is Thomas D’Arcy McGee (1825 – 1868), failed Irish rebel, British loyalist, and founding father of Canada. He was assassinated by the Fenians.
Sir James Hamilton (c,1560 – 1644), spy, scholar, diplomat, and successful planter is called to Chichester’s defence.
Éilís O’Neill, Con O’Neill’s feisty wife who died in 1629 and who thwarted Chichester’s attempt to hang him, is the witness for the prosecution.
Written by Anthony Russell, the play will be performed by Newpoint Players, who have staged over 100 similar community dramas.
Russell’s plays have previously ‘tried’ other historical figures from P.H.Pearse, James Craig, John Mitchel, and Thomas D’Arcy McGee to Con O’Neill and Lord Londonderry.