New Year’s Eve will see the premiere screening of new Léirithe Sónta documentary, ‘Mise Raiftearaí an Fíodóir Focal’ for TG4. Commissioned by the BAI, the feature doc looks at the life and times of the blind, itinerant fiddle player, Antoine Ó Reachtabhra.
Written by Tadhg MacDhonnagáin (Aifric) and directed by IFTA winner, Seán Ó Cualáin (Mairtin O’Cadhain: King of Words) the documentary centres around Antoine Ó Reachtabhra, played by Andrias de Staic, whose 175th anniversary takes place this Christmas. A blind fiddle player he traveled around Ireland rallying against the oppression of the Protestant landlord class. His songs and poems were celebrated by W.B Yeats, J. M. Synge and Lady Gregory.
‘Mise Raiftearaí an Fíodóir Focal’ is presented by Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin as he goes in search of the true story of the poet’s life. Illustrated by reconstructions of key moments from both the life and the verse of Raiftearaí, the film also features contributions from Nollaig Ó Muraile and Gearóid Denvir of NUI Galway; actor, broadcaster and raconteur, Máirtín Jamsie Ó Flatharta; local Mayo historian, Betty Solan; poet and researcher, Collette Nic Aodha and sean-nós singers Treasa Ní Cheannabháin, Máirtín Tom Sheáinín, Naisirín Elsafty, Caitríona Ní Cheannabháin and Jimí Ó Ceannabháin.
The 52 minute documentary shot over the summer with PJ Dillon (Rewind) on set as the director of photography. The feature shot in the U.S. in locations such as Oswego, Upstate New York, Brooklyn and in Irish locations including Cross, Co. Mayo, Lough Corrib and Galway. Produced by Eamonn Ó Cualáin (Mairtin O’Cadhain: King of Words) funding for the project came from TG4, BAI and Foras na Gaeilge.
‘Mise Raiftearaí an Fíodóir Focal’ will air on TG4 on New Year's Eve at 7.45pm.