A landmark documentary which looks back at the poems that shaped us as a people and illustrates why poetry is so central to our culture. Using Michael Hartnett's quotation as a springboard, 'A Rebel Act' offers a whistle-stop tour through the last 1000 years of Ireland's history as captured by the words of its poets. From the bards to the newest young Irish voices we hear how Ireland's poets have, from the earliest times, captured the people's response to love, death, plantation, famine, rebellion, civil war, emigration, the Celtic Tiger and the crash. Each poem is an individual act of rebellion. This is not Rebel with a capital 'R' (though we will show that it can be and has been), but with a small, true, challenge-the-status-quo 'r'. Featuring contributions from poets, writers and historians, with performances by Irish people from all walks of life - from teachers and market-sellers to well-known actors and even former Presidents - this landmark documentary shows that poetry has teeth and can change the way we think, act and feel; it can entertain, sadden, gladden, provoke and disturb; that poetry is as important today as it always has been - if not more so. If there was an Olympics in poetry Ireland would be taking home the medals. 'A Rebel Act' illustrates why such a small nation sits at the top table in the poetry world.