One Million Dubliners - Documentary with a twist in the Tail

EganTheMan

I watched "One Million Dubliners" on RTE, last night . . .

It was really cleverly done with, unusual for a Documentary, a twist in the tale . . .

It turns out that the grave being dug, the coffin being closed, the ceremony being filmed, the funeral neing filmed is of the Historian who is talking throughout it - Simon Mac Thomais . . .

I wonder what the history of the Documentary is? Did he know that death was imminent when he was speaking in the film? Would love to know the full story . . .

Watch it and you'll know what I mean

joedomvince

The ending floored me. I had to rewind my Sky Box to confirm the name and picture on the coffin.

Shane spoke throughout the documentary and came across as a great character. Someone I would love to have a chat with.

I was even considering going up to Glasnevin soon to see if I could have a guided tour with him.

Documentary was filmed around Valentines Day 2014 and he died March 20th I believe......just over a month later and I understand sadly it was from suicide. He was found in the graveyard.

I only knew of him from watching that documentary last night but by the end it felt like someone close to me had died. I will visit Shane s resting place.

RIP Shane

um7y1h83ge06nx

Excellent documentary, was amazed by it.

Sad to hear that Shane passed away, like another poster I would have looked to be given a tour by him, very intelligent, knowledgeable and entertaining. RIP.

I really must visit though on my next trip to Dublin.

Volvoair

joedomvince wrote: »

The ending floored me. I had to rewind my Sky Box to confirm the name and picture on the coffin.

Shane spoke throughout the documentary and came across as a great character. Someone I would love to have a chat with.

I was even considering going up to Glasnevin soon to see if I could have a guided tour with him.

Documentary was filmed around Valentines Day 2014 and he died March 20th I believe......just over a month later and I understand sadly it was from suicide. He was found in the graveyard.

I only knew of him from watching that documentary last night but by the end it felt like someone close to me had died. I will visit Shane s resting place.

RIP Shane

can you put proof/a link to that.....or is it more ****e /pub talk.

Trond

Volvoair wrote: »

can you put proof/a link to that.....or is it more ****e /pub talk.

Unfortunately its 100% true.

RIP Shane

dobsdave

It was well made I thought.
I didnt connect the grave and ceremony to shane at all till now.
Two different documentaries in one, sadly.

Dan Chipowski

Volvoair wrote: »

can you put proof/a link to that.....or is it more ****e /pub talk.

It's been publicised since in the national media, via interviews and other articles with his daughter, etc.


Speaking as someone who knew the background story to the documentary prior to viewing, I have to say it was a rare pleasure in terms of how it was made. The grounds themselves, the graves and the people who knew them best were allowed to tell the tales in a raw and emotive fashion.

A real must watch documentary.

twill

Having known about the events in the documentary before, I found it quite bizarre that it was being set up as a twist ending. Someone commits suicide and we get our emotional catharsis. Don't get me wrong, I understand that many people who knew MacThomais were happy with the documentary as a tribute to him, but the logic of it baffles me all the same.

HeidiHeidi

Just watched this, and finished it in tears.

What an unbelievably charismatic man, and what an incredibly sad tale.

I vaguely remember hearing about his death at the time, but it meant nothing to me then, as I've never visited Glasnevin properly.

Well I will now.

maringo

Fascinating documentary. Was surprised to see the late Shane but a lovely testament to him. So sad to see his funeral at the end which was an unexpected twist. He had such enthusiasm and love for his job. He is a great loss to Glasnevin - wonderful with the visitors, such enthusiasm.
May he rest in peace.

guttenberg

Does anyone know if this will be repeated? RTE player wouldn't work for me in NI.

sadie06

This wonderful doc is up on youtube at the moment. No ads!

RGDATA!

EganTheMan wrote: »

I watched "One Million Dubliners" on RTE, last night . . .

It was really cleverly done with, unusual for a Documentary, a twist in the tale . . .

It turns out that the grave being dug, the coffin being closed, the ceremony being filmed, the funeral neing filmed is of the Historian who is talking throughout it - Simon Mac Thomais . . .

I wonder what the history of the Documentary is? Did he know that death was imminent when he was speaking in the film? Would love to know the full story . . .

Watch it and you'll know what I mean

thanks for giving away the ending.

Trond

Quoting it helps as well

Hagar7

sadie06 wrote: »

This wonderful doc is up on youtube at the moment. No ads!

No longer available.:(

Dan Chipowski

Just a heads up that this wonderful documentary is on RTE 1 next Thursday at 10.15pm

Atlantic Dawn

Bump for this, on tonight, great documentary.

HeidiHeidi

Watching this again, but knowing the ending, was extra poignant tonight.

What a lovely, but at the same time awful, story it was.

PTH2009

Amazing documentary really well made. Googled half way through Shane's name and found out he died before it aired. Seemed like a geinune nice guy depression sadly comes in many unexpected forms.

Pinch Flat

Saw this last night, was absolutely drawn in by it. I'd being meaning to visit glasnevin in for years - still haven't visited. Looked like I missed a real character. I must admit of never heard of Shane before.

I got momentarily distracted at the end of the programme. I thought to myself that's a bit morbid - showing his funeral and assuming it was set up as he'd like it to be. Was gobsmacked that it was for real and that Shane has died. What an amazing and unique guy. RIP Shane.

bmay529

Watched this program last night. A truly lovely program and worth watching if you have any interest in Dublin history. It is available on RTE player. So sad at the end.

Michael Weston

Anybody know any video stores stocking the DVD of this brilliant documentary, would like to pick up a couple of copies as Xmas presents. I'm never really up in Dublin

Quick edit I just bought it online from the glasnevin trust.