DOCUMENTARY

On June 1 1866 an army of Irish Republicans invaded Canada across the Niagara River from Buffalo and engaged British forces. After winning the Battle of Ridgeway they raised the Irish flag on Canadian soil and waited for the second phase of the invasion to commence. They were part of a much bigger plan that intended to trade Canada back to Britain in return for an independent Ireland. It was also the birth of the IRA.

Considering that this was the only time that Ireland has ever invaded a foreign country, and how close the audacious plan came to succeeding, it is remarkable how little is known about of one of the most outrageous incidents in the history of all the countries involved.

Using previously unpublished material; this dramatised documentary recreates events leading up to, and beyond, this audacious episode in a style that will appeal to Canadian, American, Irish and British audiences.

Writer / Producer: Peter Phillips

Length: 50 minutes
Estimated budget: £200,000 (sterling)

Development Status

Outline Treatment (including locations) available.

Available to download from this on-line version of the catalogue.

BBC Magazine Article

Outline Treatment