Every country is entitled to some form of pageantry, " John Connolly told me in Liberty Hall for the launch of a new CD about his grandfather. Like his grandfather, who preached to shipyard workers regardless of their religion, John is staunchly nonsectarian.

The grandson of the man who was executed by British forces in 1916, having survived the Rising by the skin of his teeth, acknowledges that history is kinder to some than to others. "The two names that always pop up in relation to the Easter Rising are Padraig Pearse and James Connolly, " John said. Adrian Dunbar's film on Connolly starts shooting this September, giving further kudos to the rebel socialist. John's daughter Ruth will star in the video of the song by Pzazz, a recently formed soprano quartet.

Pzazz will release its debut single, ?Daughter of Connolly', to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the Rising. Marie Frances Loughran, Aoife Nic Ardghail, Claire Halligan and Fiona McManus stood on the roof of Liberty Hall wearing the Baby Doll label - part sexy black lingerie, part French maid's outfit. "The song tells a family story, " said Claire. Marie Frances added, "I was in floods of tears when I sang it."

Aoife agreed, "I burst out crying." (Oh, Jaysus! Do you think my heart's not broken? )