In addition to a great line-up of short films and documentaries at the Fleadh today, there is, as always, a great variety of Irish features to choose from.
There’s a good mix of better-known titles such as Aisling Walsh’s ‘Maudie’ and the much anticipated ‘Pilgrimage’ from Brendan Muldowney, starring ‘Spider-man: Homecoming’ lead Tom Holland. In feature debuts ‘No Party for Billy Burns’ features a Q&A with director Padraig Conaty, as does ‘The Limit of…” directed by Alan Mulligan.
Maudie, Town Hall Theatre, 18:00
Aisling Walsh’s latest feature film stars Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke in the heartwarming and resilient story of real-life folk artist Maud Lewis.
Synopsis
Maud, a bright-eyed, intelligent woman, hunched with crippled arthritic hands, yearns to be independent from her overprotective family. She escapes her solitary existence through her art, dreaming away the days, until in her early 30s she finds, and answers, an ad for a housekeeper. Everett Lewis is a 40-year-old bachelor. Tall, skinny and shabby, abandoned by his parents at a very young age, he has nevertheless managed to become a proud and self-sufficient man, largely by collecting scraps and peddling fish. He lives in a 10x12 foot house that has neither running water nor electricity, but at least it’s all his.
Pilgrimage, Town Hall Theatre, 20:15
Brendan Muldowney’s epic thriller set in 13th century Ireland not only boasts a stellar cast including Tom Holland, Richard Armitage and Jon Bernthal, but showcases the rugged landscapes of counties Mayo and Galway in addition to the Belgian Ardennes.
Brendan Muldowney, Director:
“One of my creative obsessions has always been religion and faith so I felt that this was rich with thematic possibilities. The idea of using Irish monks who live on what was then thought of as the edge of the world, and are slightly out of touch with Rome, still amongst the pagan superstitions of ancient Ireland, had great possibilities. When Jamie [Hannigan, writer] introduced a fanatical envoy from Rome who orders the monks to take their holiest relic with him to Rome for use in the upcoming crusade, the story took on more modern themes of how religion is used in today’s political landscape.”
The Limit of…
Alan Mulligan directs his own script in this feature debut starring Kevin McGahern, Sonya O’Donoghue, Charlie McGuinness and Shane Connaughton. Producers are Tim Palmer, Alan Mulligan, Anthony Mulligan and Taine King.
Synopsis
James Allen is a man in control. He lives alone and works as a banker. He does his best to look after his widowed mother. What he doesn’t know is that the bank he works for is about to repossess her home. When the stress of this provokes a family crisis, James begins to question his whole life and to glimpse the ruthless, manipulative black heart behind the glossy veneer of the banking world. He decides to take action.
No Party for Billy Burns
In another debut for a writer/director, Padraig Conaty directs Kevin McGahern, Sonya O’Donoghue, Charlie McGuinness and Shane Connaughton. Lisa McNamee produces this title, which is based in Co. Cavan.
Synopsis
Billy Burns is a would-be cowboy lost in the dreary fields of Cavan. Stranded at home with his grandfather and ridiculed around town for his innocent ways, Billy works for the local ranchers, saving his money for a trip up to the big city, perhaps never to return.
Scarred by a tragedy in his youth, Billy never quite grew into adulthood. Luckily he has the guidance of inept local Sergeant Jack Cooper, who trades info with Billy for the promise of him one day cutting it as his deputy.