I arrived in Ireland when I was six years old, and settled with my family on a farm in the Caha Mountains. I felt at home straight away, and though the '80s were tough times, I had what I consider to be a very idyllic upbringing. Together with six neighbour girls, we had a kind of freedom which is not available to children anymore. Summers spent by the river and hikes over the mountain to the Lakes for trout fishing were formative experiences.
I never strayed far, spending four few years in Dublin studying, but returning and raising my own family in Kerry. I always felt drawn to the valley where I grew up and see it is a remote but rich microcosm. I work my own farm, combining this life with my career as an artist, which though challenging is extremely rewarding. Over the years I have seen many people leave and others fade into distant memory. The psychological landscape is changing, people go, communities die and we forget.
I have known Brendan O’Sullivan from childhood and have seen his family grow up. Brendan is the last person with a very particular kind of wisdom, born, bred and still living in the townland of Rath.
As his neighbour, I felt it was my duty to undertake the work of recording him as he walks his farm, a process which took over a year to complete. The film focuses on historical facts while there is an underlying personal story.
Many people collaborated and gave their time and knowledge willingly. I was lucky to have the involvement of Luka Bloom and traditional musicians and local singers adding a very emotive soundtrack. I got some help from Kerry County Council and was delighted to be included in the Dingle International Film Festival. Being a part of Kerry Film Festival is yet another bonus. As Kerry Filmmaker in Residence 2017 I’m travelling the county, encouraging young people by opening up filmmaking to then as a valuable source of visual expression. I am interested in the interconnectedness people have with place and the beauty that exists in the simple things.
Rath screens at the Kerry Film Festival @ 6pm on Saturday, 21st October at the Methodist Church, Killarney.
Kerry Film Festival runs from 19 – 22 October 2017
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