The Trial of Thomas D’Arcy McGee: Irish Rebel – Canadian Patriot

Join us as the Newpoint Players, directed by Donal O’Hanlon, present this humorous historical fantasy, this reflection on the legacy of one of Ireland’s most important, yet almost forgotten, emigrants, Thomas D’Arcy McGee.

In Canada Wexford’s Thomas D’Arcy McGee (1825–1868) is revered as a founding father, perhaps the founding father, of the country. In Ireland, he is either unknown or reviled as a traitor; a physical force republican turned colonial loyalist.

On the 200th anniversary of his birth, McGee is called from the grave to answer, in the Court of History, the charge that he committed treason against Ireland and her people.

Monaghan’s Sir Charles Gavan Duffy (1816-1903) a founder of the Nation and later Prime Minister of Victoria is McGee’s defence lawyer. Newry’s John Mitchel (1815-1875), an unrepentant physical force republican, American Confederate and enslaver is the prosecutor. He and Duffy, once friends, became lifelong enemies because of Mitchel’s support of violence and slavery.

John A. Mc Donald (1815-1891), the first prime minister of the Canadian Confederation, whose reputation is tarnished by his treatment of the first nations, is called as a witness for the prosecution. McGee’s long suffering and loyal wife, Mary Teresa Caffrey, is called as a witness for the defence.

All the ghosts are aware of what has happened in the world since they entered the grave and comment accordingly. The judge, Dionysus Cronos, was present at the trial of Socrates. The audience is the jury.

Highlights
• Take part in the trial of McGee and witness some of Ireland’s most prominent emigrants take the stand.
• Decide, on the weight of evidence provided, whether McGee should be found guilty or innocent.
• Remarks from the Embassy of Canada to mark the 200th anniversary of McGee’s birth.

Speaker Profile: The Newpoint Players are an award winning and highly talented arts group based in Newry and Warrenpoint that have been consistently producing works of note since 1946.