11-22 July 2016: Special screenings of ‘The Battle of the Somme’, National Library of Ireland, Kildare St, Dublin 2

Between Monday 11 and Friday 22 July 2016 the National Library of Ireland hosted screenings of UNESCO listed film The Battle of the Somme as part of its Somme centenary events programme. These were hosted under the auspices of the Imperial War Museum’s Centenary Partnership. Shot and screened in 1916, it was the first feature length documentary about the war and changed the way both cinema and film was perceived by the public. In the year of its release around 20 million people across Britain and Ireland watched The Battle of the Somme, many hoping to see the image of a loved-one, or friend captured on film. One hundred years later, this unique film from IWM’s collection, was being shown to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

Each screening took place in the library’s seminar room. Admission was free. The full schedule of screenings was as follows:

Monday 11 July: 11am, 1pm, 3pm.

Tuesday 12 July: 11am, 1pm, 3pm.

Wednesday 13 July: 1pm, 3pm.

Thursday 14 July: 11am, 1pm, 3pm.

Friday 15 July: 11am, 1pm, 3pm.

Monday 18 July: 11am, 1pm, 3pm.

Wednesday 20 July: 11am, 1pm.

Friday 22 July: 11am, 1pm.

Watch British Pathé’s online exhibition of footage relating to the Battle of the Somme.