Saturday, April 18, 2009
IT WAS, at the time, the worst mass kidnap in the Christian world.
And this evening, a west Cork coastal village will recall, in unique surroundings, the terrifying events of that night in the 17th century when more than 100 of their ancestors were carried off by marauding pirates. Captive, the first play by former Baltimore-based Gda Pat Flaherty, recalls the Sack of Baltimore on June 20, 1631, when 108 villagers were captured by a heavily-armed gang of Algerian pirates and shipped off to a life of slavery.
It was at the time one of the biggest single captures of innocents by pirates anywhere in Europe. The night-time raid was also seen as an audacious incursion on what was the King’s territory.
It was a defining moment in Baltimore’s history and changed the village forever.
Captive focuses on the plight of a fictional local family which was preparing for bed when the pirates struck. The parents and two teenage children are carried off. Two babies are left screaming in their beds.
"The play is based on real-life events, but this is a fictional family. It is a poignant play, but with some lighter moments," Mr Flaherty said.
Such raids were common along Europe’s coastline at the time, he said.
However, unlike in Ireland, other coastal villages which were devastated in the same way commemorate their history more often.
"Pirates raided coastal communities across Europe at this time. The Icelandic people were badly affected by such raids and they commemorate those lost with a church ceremony every year.
"I think we should commemorate the Sack of Baltimore more," he said.
His play will be staged at 7pm in the stunning setting of historic Dún na Séad castle, in the centre of the village, with the first act taking place inside and the second act outside — the castle walls providing the backdrop to an Algerian slave market.
The castle has been renovated by a solicitor and his wife from Skibbereen who have kindly allowed Baltimore Drama Group to use their home for what promises to be a unique event.
The features a cast including Orlaith O’Sullivan, Declan McCarthy, Cillian Cotter, Meabh Flaherty, Ronan Sheehy, Ronan Callinane, Louis Jacob, John Moffet, Olan Marten and Petra Reimus.
The play takes place as part of Baltimore’s heritage festival and tickets will be available at the door.
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