#DouglassWeek 2026: Daniel O’Connell: The Emancipator, A Film Screening

Screening of Daniel O’Connell: The Emancipator. This documentary explores the life and legacy of Daniel O’Connell, one of Ireland’s most influential political leaders and a central figure in the struggle for Catholic emancipation and democratic reform. Produced to mark the 250th anniversary of his birth, the film reflects on how O’Connell’s ideas about justice, political participation and peaceful activism continue to resonate today.

Directed by Ruán Magan and narrated by Domhnall Gleeson, the film traces O’Connell’s journey from a lawyer in County Kerry to an internationally recognized advocate for civil rights and political change. Along the way, the documentary also highlights the wider global context of 19th-century reform movements, including connections to figures such as Frederick Douglass, who travelled to Ireland in 1845-46 and whose own fight for freedom and equality intersected with the political currents of the time.

Featuring insights from leading historians and scholars, newly uncovered archival material and an original score by Colm Mac Con Iomaire, the documentary offers a fresh perspective on a figure whose influence extended far beyond Ireland. First premiered at the Cork International Film Festival, the film forms part of a broader program commemorating O’Connell’s 250th anniversary and reflecting on his lasting impact on democracy and movements for equality.

Sponsored by The Douglass Week Organization and The African American Department

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Host or Publisher Enoch Pratt Free Library