大象传媒

Born to an Irish mum and a Jamaican dad, Dev Griffin grew up feeling he didn鈥檛 fit in either community. He hopes discovering more about his ancestors will help him strengthen his sense of identity and belonging.

On his first ever trip to Ireland, Dev uncovers the momentous events surrounding the lives of his Irish grandmother鈥檚 dad, his great-grandad Frank Weafer, and Frank鈥檚 brother Patrick, Dev鈥檚 great-great-uncle. Both were involved in Ireland鈥檚 fight for independence in the early 20th century. Patrick Weafer marched to Dublin to fight in the Easter Rising, a decision that put him in a gunfight on Dublin鈥檚 rooftops and in the middle of one of the most significant events in modern Irish history.

Similar to his brother, Frank became involved in the republican movement during the Irish War of Independence and had a role in a cycling corps, delivering intelligence messages. Both lived to see the declaration of the Irish Free State.

Next, Dev travels to Kilkee on the west coast of Ireland to learn about his Irish grandfather鈥檚 dad, his great-grandfather James Griffin, who was known by his Gaelic name, S茅amus M贸r 脫 Gr铆obhtha. As he uncovers S茅amus鈥檚 involvement in the Gaelic League, Dev learns about the battle to preserve Irish culture and language during this period. Dev is astonished by what he learns about Ireland鈥檚 history and reveals how proud he is of his Irish ancestors.

Following his father鈥檚 line, Dev travels to Jamaica. An emotional meeting with his newly discovered auntie Viveine leads Dev to an incredible document from the local Baptist church that reveals the day-to-day lives of his great-grandparents Joshua and Annie Riley, including some rather cheeky details, to paint an astonishingly intimate picture of island life in the early 20th century.

Discovering his ancestry uncovers stories of bravery, family and love, and Dev can finally claim both his Irish and Jamaican heritage with knowledge and pride.