Ooh ah, up the RA!

February 21, 2016 2:58 PM

With the upcoming centenary of the Irish 1916 Easter Rising, Limerick's own dole-queue Dadaists the Rubberbandits (previously here , here , and here) present their Guide to 1916. If you're Irish you'll find it hilarious, if you have the misfortune not to be Irish, you'll learn all you need to know about the Rising. And also hopefully find it hilarious.
posted by ironjelly (10 comments total)

The bit at the Spire in Dublin (31mins in) where they discover that the Spire is in fact crooked, "as crooked as the men that inherited this country", and that this observation is satire, "very satire", and that they can be tax-exempt for being very satire, is the funniest thing that has ever been shown on Ireland's national broadcaster.

(seriously well put together: I had never heard of the Limerick Soviet before seeing this at Christmas)
posted by ocular shenanigans at 3:16 PM on February 21, 2016 [4 favorites]

I had never heard of these guys but I'm a sucker for random history shows so this was completely a blind watch for me a few weeks ago. I was very surprised just how good of a job these guys did, especially since they wear plastic bag masks. Their Warhammer recreation of the battle is inspired. As the Independent says, "This is the only history you need".
posted by Ashwagandha at 3:51 PM on February 21, 2016 [1 favorite]

The Rubberbandits are, just, incredible. Fun fact: half the duo, Blindboy Boat Club, just completed a master's degree that he started because he lost a bar bet.
posted by Itaxpica at 3:54 PM on February 21, 2016 [7 favorites]

If you're wavering on whether to watch this 45 minite video, maybe this exchange during a re-enactment of the major battles of Irish history can sell you:

"Does Brian Boru have Oliver Cromwell in a headlock?"
"He fuckin' does."

That alone made it worth my time. They also pronounce my ancestral name in the most outrageous manor, which would drive my mother crazy.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 4:15 PM on February 21, 2016 [1 favorite]

It's actually very, very accurate.
posted by Damienmce at 4:17 PM on February 21, 2016 [3 favorites]

This title reminds me of the time a friend and I were in Dublin and came across a bunch of $SPORT fans* who yelled "Up Dublin!" We both exchanged puzzled looks because to us Yanks it wasn't at all clear if they were for or against it.

*Pro Tip: You could tell by the scarves. Although this was before Harry Potter was a thing.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 4:51 PM on February 21, 2016

I really enjoyed this. It's worth trawling youtube for any of their live bits, or any interviews of them on tour.
posted by Catblack at 6:44 PM on February 21, 2016

I was a little hesitant at first, but this was entertaining and informative and fun.
posted by rmd1023 at 4:16 AM on February 22, 2016

I also feel like, after years of watching Rubberbandits, I know far more about Limerick, which they relentlessly and affectionately satirize, then I would from any other source.
posted by maxsparber at 6:02 AM on February 22, 2016 [1 favorite]

"You know how I have a tattoo of Éamon de Valera on my back?"
"Yeah?"
"What did Éamon de Valera actually do during the Rising?"
"Did you ever do loads of speed? Like LOADS of speed? That's kinda like what he did during the rising."

... and then it turns out to be the perfect metaphor for what they're trying to say ...
posted by frimble at 6:12 AM on February 22, 2016 [1 favorite]