As the world becomes ever more connected, the concept of a traditional Irish goodbye may seem like a relic of the past. However, it remains a beloved tradition in many parts of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and it is celebrated with a special gala cinema tour. This unique tour brings together film enthusiasts, locals, and visitors from all over the world to experience the beauty and charm of Ireland and Northern Ireland, while celebrating the country’s rich cultural legacy. Join us on this journey through some of the most stunning locations in Ireland and Northern Ireland, and discover what makes this event so special.
The team behind the Oscar-winning short film, An Irish Goodbye, are planning a cinema tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland following its success at the 95th Academy Awards. The film dazzled the judges, earning the best live action short film accolade, and made headlines when James Martin, the film’s star, brought his Oscar statue on the stage during his birthday celebrations.
Martin, whose parents were told that he might never speak after he was born with Down’s syndrome, plans to take his award to his drama group in Belfast. Meanwhile, Ross White and Tom Berkeley, who wrote and directed the film, will embark on a tour of the country to hold galas and events with the cast and crew.
An Irish Goodbye, which is a black comedy about two siblings who reunite after their mother dies, was partially funded through crowdfunding and support from Northern Ireland Screen. Although the film is available on the BBC iPlayer, White and Berkeley have been overwhelmed by the interest in the film since its Oscar success, and they have now decided to screen it in cinemas.
Berkeley expressed his desire to channel the success of An Irish Goodbye into new projects, hoping this will not be his last interaction with the Academy Awards. One such project is called The Golden West, a story about two Irish women who flee famine in 1849 and join a gold rush in the US, which the duo describe as an “Irish western”.
White and Berkeley also received offers from Hollywood to make feature films; however, they are eager to keep the focus on their debut project and, for the time being, are planning to find a secluded spot to write their debut feature.
The film-makers’ Los Angeles trip was filled with celebration, networking, and bizarre experiences, acknowledges Berkeley. He says, “Being in those rooms is bizarre, particularly the Vanity Fair afterparty. It was such a small room, and it felt like everyone apart from us was stratospherically famous. Everywhere you turn, you’re setting your eyes on one of your idols.”
Berkeley and White had their Oscars by their side, which proved to be a conversation starter, as people came over to congratulate them and strike up a conversation. The duo hope to use the resulting goodwill to produce fresh projects and return to the Academy Awards.
An Irish Goodbye was premiered at the 2022 Dingle International Film Festival, and it has been warmly embraced by Irish audiences. The film’s success is not only significant for the Irish film industry, but it is also a significant milestone for the inclusion of people with disabilities in cinema.
The success of An Irish Goodbye is a testament to the team’s talent and perseverance, and their victory at the Oscars has put them on the world stage, furthering their opportunities and future success. As they embark on their cinema tour, the film-makers expect audiences will continue to appreciate the film’s ability to blend darkness and humor, as well as the themes of family and belonging that An Irish Goodbye tackles with subtlety and nuance.
As the Gala Cinema Tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland draws to a close, it’s hard not to feel a sense of bittersweet nostalgia. Over the course of several days, cinema lovers were treated to the best of Irish cinema, from classics to modern masterpieces, in some of the most stunning locations on the island. And yet, as with any good tale, there must be an ending. The final screening has been shown, the last round of applause has died down, and it’s time to bid farewell with an Irish Goodbye.
But as the curtains close, let us remember the magic that we’ve experienced together. Let us remember the faces of characters we’ve come to love, the awe-inspiring landscapes that have taken our breath away, and the stories that have touched our hearts. Let us remember how cinema has the power to unite us all, to inspire us, and to remind us of our shared humanity.
So, to everyone involved in making the Gala Cinema Tour a success, from the organizers to the volunteers to the filmmakers themselves, we say thank you. Thank you for bringing us together, for showcasing the best of our culture, and for creating a truly unforgettable experience. And as we say our goodbyes, we know that the memories we’ve made together will last a lifetime. Slán go fóill!
