Enniskillen born film producer Kevin McCann hopes to bring filming to Fermanagh and the Border region for his prospective film about the Easter Rising.

‘The Rising’ will be the first movie to tell the full story of 1916 and how Ireland “rose up from famine to freedom”.

“It’s telling the story from the point of view of Seán Mac Diarmada and Tom Clarke. Seán Mac Diarmada is from North Leitrim on the Fermanagh Border there so when we get up and running, filming on both sides of the Border would be something that we would be trying to do with this production,” Kevin told The Impartial Reporter.

“I am trying to get a major production to the Border region to showcase the beauty of the place but also to give employment and opportunities to creative communities in Leitrim and Fermanagh,” he added.

The film has been in development since 2012 backed by Screen Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen and a loyal global following.

“I’ve spent the last three/four years in America looking for support from different film companies or Irish Americans who are interested in the story being told. That’s gone pretty well but we are still not there so until we have our final investors in I can’t give a date but I’m hoping that next year or at the very latest the following year we’d be ready,” shared Kevin.

Among the actors attached in the leading roles are Colin Morgan (Merlin), Fiona Shaw (Killing Eve), Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey) and David O’Hara (Braveheart). Micheál Neeson will follow in the footsteps of his father Liam Neeson and portray the young Michael Collins, who was not a leading figure in the rebellion itself.

Along with a star-studded cast, Kevin has announced that 15 GAA All-Ireland winners have officially signed up to appear in the movie in small cameo roles and walk-on parts. The All-Ireland winners from Gaelic Football, Camogie, Ladies Football and Hurling include Barney Rock, Brian Mullins, Colm O’Rourke, Jack O’Shea, Colm Cooper, Larry Tompkins, Dinny Allen, Oisín McConville, Martin McHugh and his son Mark McHugh, Seán Cavanagh, Valerie Mulcahy, Ursula Jacob, Joe Connolly and John Kiely.

Describing them as “the ultimate dream-team”, Kevin said: “These GAA heroes are people with a strong connection to the spirit of Ireland and that is what the movie is all about - the triumph of the Irish spirit, sacrifice and conviction. It is fitting to announce this as we mark the centenary year of Bloody Sunday at Croke Park.”

“Imagine a movie scene where Patrick Pearse or Tom Clarke address a secret meeting of leaders played by Jack O’Shea, John Kiely, Valerie Mulcahy and Oisín McConville. The Irish around the world will grip the seats of the cinema with pride,” he commented.

“Fermanagh native Peter ‘The Great’ Quinn was the most successful GAA president and I’m sure he’d be pleased with our news. Unfortunately there isn’t any All-Ireland winner from Fermanagh that I could ask to appear in the film, but Peter might wish to make an appearance himself and he’d be very welcome,” added Kevin.

When asked if any Fermanagh actors will be involved in the film, Kevin said: “Ciarán McMenamin and Adrian Dunbar, certainly we will be looking to call on those guys absolutely to read the script.

“Adrian Dunbar and Ciarán McMenamin have had incredible performances in several films so I will be looking to get both those actors in roles,” Kevin reiterated.