Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh and Christy Moore to join historic Bloody Sunday commemoration

Following the news that the Abbey Theatre and the GAA are collaborating to give a voice to the men, woman, and children who were killed in Croke Park on 21 November 1920, it was announced today that two Irish legends will be topping and tailing the 14 monologues.

Opening with an introduction from GAA hero, Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, in conversation with Abbey Theatre Co-Director, Graham McLaren, and rounding out the piece with a moving performance of titan of Irish music Christy Moore; 14 Voices from the Bloodied Field is set to be a major production this Friday.

The play will commemorate the 100th anniversary of that painful day in Irish history, when Jane Boyle, James Burke, Daniel Carroll, Michael Feery, Tom Hogan, Michael Hogan, James Matthews, Patrick O’Dowd, Jerome O’Leary, William Robinson, Thomas Ryan, John William Scott, James Teehan and Joe Traynor were killed.

The Abbey Theatre commissioned 14 writers to write 14 monologues and, with 14 directors and 14 actors, create a 14-minute play for a solo performer.

On the eve of the centenary, at 7pm on November 20, this commemorative performance will be streamed on the Abbey Theatre’s YouTube, Facebook and Twitter channels, and on abbeytheatre.ie.

“We could think of no other two voices best placed to help us remember than Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh and Christy Moore. We are honoured that they have joined us,” Graham McLaren and Neil Murray said.

“I wrote the song 'Minds Locked Shut' for a Derry Bloody Sunday Memorial Concert in 1983," Christy Moore says.

"I've spoken with relatives from the Derry Bloody Sunday Museum. They are happy for the song to be adapted, that the 1920 victims be remembered alongside those murdered in Derry in 1972. I feel honoured to be part of this Memorial. I’m grateful to The Abbey Theatre and The GAA for this initiative.”

"Bloody Sunday had a profound impact not only on the development of the GAA but also on the fabric of Irish society as a whole," Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh says.

"I’m delighted to be involved in this momentous Abbey Theatre project – marking a sad day in Ireland's history. It will honour those that set out to watch a match in Croke Park, like so many before them and since, but never returned home to their loved ones," Ó Muircheartaigh adds.

"They are now among the dead who shall live forever - ar dheis De go raibh a n-anamnacha."

14 Voices from the Bloodied Field will be available to watch for 48 hours.