THE Irish novelist Colm Toibin has promised that the centenary commemorations of the 1916 Easter rising will look at the event "in all its complexity".
Toibin, whose own grandfather was interned for taking part in the rebellion, is involved in the planning of one of next year's events.
And speaking to the Herald Magazine ahead of the release of a new film based on his novel Brooklyn, he said that he did not think the centenary would be marked by any kind of triumphalism.
"But it is going to have to be recognised that this rebellion was what the country was founded on," he said. "There's no two ways about it."
Toibin, who has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize twice, is himself "curating" an event next year in Dublin's National Concert Hall.
The event, he hopes, will bring together people from outside Ireland who have been involved, "for good or bad", in revolutions, "and whose lives have been deeply affected and sometimes not to any great success," he said.
"So I think it's going to be open. I just don't think it's going to be this big celebration of mindless violence."
Earlier this year the Irish government announced a year-long programme of events leading up to Easter 2016 at a cost of 22 million euros (£15.8m).
Among the events scheduled are a programme of parades, public lecture series and state receptions at key locations associated with the Easter Rising and 1916. The Abbey Theatre will also stage productions of classic Irish plays.
Meanwhile the film Brooklyn, which stars Irish actress Saoirse Ronan, an adaptation of Toibin's 2009 novel, goes on general release on November 6. Nick Hornby has written the script.
Toibin has described watching the film as "very emotional" for him.
"And I have a tiny part in the film which no one notices except me," he added.
In today's Herald Magazine: Colm Toibin on Ireland's same sex marriage referendum and why he can't write Scottish characters.
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