Three films by local creative talent to be shown at special screening event in Granard Library

Evening of films by Harp Media and Eimear Reilly on Thursday, 5 December starting at 6pm

Press Release: Monday, 25 November 2024 

Granard Library will host a special screening event of three films produced by local filmmakers on Thursday, 5 December, starting at 6pm. All are welcome to attend this event, which is organised by Longford Library, Archives, Arts and Heritage Services. 

The first of the films to be screened will be 'Eamon Creamer of Granard' by Harp Media. Harp Media are an award-winning production company run by Granard filmmakers, Robert Higgins and Patrick McGinvey. This documentary film tells the story of Eamon Creamer, a renowned restorer of vintage cars. His work included the restoration of a vehicle owned by Larry Kiernan which was used by Michael Collins when visiting Granard in the War of Independence period. 

This film was funded by the Live and Local Programme which was run by Longford County Council during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following this screening, 'A Short History of Granard by Jimmy Donohue', based on an interview with the late local historian Jimmy Donohue, will be introduced by Harp Media. 

Next to be screened at the event will be the short film 'All That's Carried' by Eimear Reilly, a local writer and producer. All That's Carried was crowned winner of the Donal Gilligan Award for Best Cinematography in a Short Film at the Galway Film Fleadh in July and Best Irish Narrative Short Film at the Kerry International Film Festival in October. 

This film was funded by the Creative Ireland Longford Community Open Call. Eimear is also a playwright. Her previous play 'The Spin' was performed at Longford's Backstage Theatre and at the Dublin Fringe Festival in 2022. Eimear also previously held a residency in the Backstage Theatre. 

The final film of the event will be 'Sir Henry Wilson: The Man Who Was Empire', also by Harp Media. This is a documentary film on Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson, whose family owned Currygrane House, near Ballinalee. A staunch unionist, Sir Henry was a senior British Army officer during the First World War. He later briefly served as Chief of the General Staff and was as the head of the British Army. He was assassinated outside his home in London in 1922. 

This documentary film was supported by the Decade of Centenaries Programme. This programme was administered by Longford County Council and funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. 

Looking forward to the event Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Casey said, "It is great to see so much local filmmaking talent producing excellent and award-winning works that tell Longford's stories. I encourage everyone to come along for this great evening of entertainment and storytelling, hosted by Granard Library."

Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon added, "It is great to see Council funding helping to develop a culture of filmmaking in County Longford. These films highlight our abundance of local creative talent who have been inspired by local subjects."

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