Search icon

Movies & TV

09th Sep 2018

People were incredibly moved by the superb documentary on The Troubles

Paul Moore

Documentary

It’s still available to watch for free. Incredible stuff.

Every single Irish person is deeply aware of their history and while the uncertainty of Brexit and the border issue looms large over us all, you could argue that it has solidified a resolve in the Irish people to maintain, cherish and preserve what makes us uniquely Irish.

In that sense, our collective history is absolutely vital.

It could be argued that the current political climate has coincided with a resurgence in the documentary genre because the demand is clearly there for features that highlight some powerful Irish stories that really need to be told.

In recent years, we’ve seen the likes of No Stone Unturned, Bobby Sands: 66 Days, I, Dolours, A Mother Brings Her Son to Be Shot, In The Name of Peace: John Hume in America, and The Image You Missed.

Long may this continue.

As stated previously, we were very curious to see what Channel 4’s Dispatches series would be like as they focused on a horrific moment during The Troubles.

Massacre at Ballymurphy tells the story of Briege Voyle, a daughter that’s desperately looking for answers. In 1971, Briege’s mother, Joan Connolly, was one of ten people that were shot in a West Belfast neighbourhood over three days of horrific violence.

Channel 4’s forensic exposé looked at the shocking killings of which the British Army stand accused, with the army maintaining their stance that those killed – including a Catholic priest – were terrorists.

The documentary aired last night and to quote the incredibly talented boxer Michael Conlan “listening to what this family has gone through and is still going through, my eyes are filling up.”

In case you missed Massacre at Ballymurphy, you can watch it again here.

If you’re looking for another reason to watch this incredibly powerful piece of work,  these people were all deeply moved by it.

Highly recommended.

In case you missed it, here’s a small look at what’s in store.

LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Conor Sketches | Tiger Woods loves Ger Loughnane and cosplaying as Charles LeClerc