By Peter Rao ’24

On Friday, February 17, Thomas More College welcomed William McCann—director, producer, screenwriter, and actor—to campus for a screening of his independent film, The Liberator. Based on the life of Irish leader Daniel O’Connell, The Liberator has won several awards in film festivals and also features acting appearances by TMC’s own Phil Lawler and Clarke Mitchell.

Mr. McCann gave a brief introduction before the screening in which he pointed out the relevance of Daniel O’Connell’s life in relation to St. Thomas More. It was the same Oath of Supremacy, which required government officials in England to swear allegiance to the king as head of the Church of England—the refusal of which resulted in More’s martyrdom—that was likewise a non-negotiable issue for Daniel O’Connell.

The film stresses that O’Connell’s peaceful approach to his work for Irish independence not only allowed for bloodless progress to be made, but was also the most efficient and effective method for achieving it. One major conflict the film portrays revolves around a demonstration O’Connell had planned for October 8, 1843, in Clontarf, County Dublin. The English government sent troops to occupy the meeting place, and O’Connell—despite pressure to promote more aggressive resistance—kept to his peaceful methods and canceled the meeting. There remains controversy as to whether this was the right decision, but it nevertheless displays O’Connell’s resolve to exclusively use peaceful means to reach his goals.

Mr. McCann first conceived of the idea for this film when studying in Cork. While in college, he conducted a research project on O’Connell’s life and was left both with a great deal of respect for the man and astonishment that his story seemed to have been forgotten. Mr. McCann remarked after the screening that O’Connell is acknowledged in Ireland through street names and statues, but the role he played in Ireland’s push for independence generally goes unrecognized.

Information regarding future screenings and ways to watch the film can be found on its website.