Mám Trasna Commemorative Events, Galway, Saturday 18th August 2018

 

The award winning Murdair Mhám Trasna (The Mám Trasna Murders) will be screened in the Eye Cinema, Galway on the afternoon of Saturday 18th August at 1.15pm, to mark the anniversary of the brutal murders in 1882 which are the subject of that film. The free event is being organised by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and TV production company ROSG as part of National Heritage Week and Bliain na Gaeilge.

A posthumous pardon was granted earlier this year by President Michael D Higgins on the advice of Government to Myles Joyce [Maolra Seoighe] who was wrongly convicted on perjured evidence and the word of informers as a participant in the murders. Descendants of Myles Joyce are travelling from the USA for the occasion.

Earlier that day Galway Bishop Brendan Kelly will celebrate a Mass in Irish in Galway Cathedral for all of those who suffered as a result of the Mám Trasna murders. Following the Mass wreaths will be laid at the spot in the adjoining carpark where Myles Joyce and two other men from Mám Trasna were hanged and buried. The site of the Cathedral wasthe location for the Galway Gaol in 1882. President Micheal D. Higgins has accepted an invitation to be present at this commemorative mass and wreath-laying ceremony. He will meet the American descendants of Myles Joyce and present them with a parchment copy of the formal presidential pardon granted earlier this year.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Mass at 11.00am and anyone who wishes to secure a free ticket to the screening of the Murdair Mhám Trasna film in the Eye Cinema at 1.15pm. Tickets are available here. 

Murdair Mhám Trasna was produced by Galway-based TV production company ROSG for TG4, with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.