The Trial of PH Pearse before the Court of History
Chandler's House, Rathfriland, BT34 5PT
Sunday 7th June 2026
This courtroom drama puts Pádraig Pearse on trial for leading the Easter Rising against the democratic will of the Irish people.The clash is sharp: prosecutor Thomas D’Arcy McGee argues for constitutional change, while defence lawyer John Mitchel defends revolutionary action despite his own controversial views. Testimony from Eoin MacNeill questions the Rising’s legitimacy, while Margaret Pearse humanizes her son.Performed by Newpoint Players, the audience acts as the jury—deciding whether Pearse was a visionary or a traitor.
Newpoint Players, formed in 1946, is one of Ireland's top drama groups. Each year they perform on the drama festival circuit, north and south, and have won three All Ireland Drama Titles. Last year reached both the AUDF and ADCI finals. Every summer the Players run a seven week youth theatre school, with up to 50 young people and a youth group which functions throughout the year.
Uniquely, since 2016, faithful to the concept, ‘myth maims – history heals’, Newpoint has presented Anthony Russell’s seven ‘trial plays’ in venues from Winnipeg to Wexford. Last year, they were invited to perform in Ottawa and Montreal, to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Canada’s founding father, Carlingford and Wexford’s, Thomas D’Arcy McGee.
Newpoint Players, formed in 1946, is one of Ireland's top drama groups. Each year they perform on the drama festival circuit, north and south, and have won three All Ireland Drama Titles. Last year reached both the AUDF and ADCI finals. Every summer the Players run a seven week youth theatre school, with up to 50 young people and a youth group which functions throughout the year.
Uniquely, since 2016, faithful to the concept, ‘myth maims – history heals’, Newpoint has presented Anthony Russell’s seven ‘trial plays’ in venues from Winnipeg to Wexford. Last year, they were invited to perform in Ottawa and Montreal, to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Canada’s founding father, Carlingford and Wexford’s, Thomas D’Arcy McGee.
