Offaly man's Irish language movie screened in cinemas

AN Irish language movie made by a Tullamore man has hit the big screen.

Sean Breathnach, a past pupil of Colaiste Choilm, Tullamore directed the award winning Foscadh (Shelter) which was released in some Irish cinemas at the weekend.

Foscadh won an award at last year's Galway Film Fleadh and was also screened at the Valladolid International Film Festival in Spain.

Sean Breathnach (also known as Sean Og) is a son of Sean Breathnach, an Irish teacher at Colaiste Choilm (then known as Tullamore CBS).

Sean Og completed his Leaving Certificate at the school in 1992 and has gone on to become an accomplished filmmaker, having previously directed the award winning Beyond The Woods in 2018.

He also co-wrote Foscadh with Donal Ryan, author of the novel 2013 novel “The Thing About December”, on which it is based.

Foscadh tells the story of John Cunnliffe, a friendless recluse who is forced to navigate the choppy waters of trust, vengeance and romance for the first time when his parents pass away.

It is set in Connemara where John inherits mountain land in which a wind farm developer is interested.

Guardian film critic Phil Hoad described the movie as “a quietly promising Irish Gaelic-language drama”.

Dónall Ó Héalai plays Cunliffe and the film also stars Fionnuala Flaherty as Siobhan, a nurse who cares for the lead character after an assault.