BUNCRANA was abuzz last night for the special
advanced screening of the locally-filmed movie 'A
Shine of Rainbows'. While none of the film's big
Hollywood draws, Aidan Quinn or Connie Nielsen,
managed to make it for the local premiere, one of
the star attractions of the evening was the stunning
scenery of Inishowen.
The old-fashioned charm
of St Mary's Hall Cinema, was somehow a fitting
venue for the warm-hearted film about a lonely
orphan boy, Tomás, who is adopted by the beautiful
Máire O'Donnell (Neilsen) on 'Corrie Island'. Tomás
is, at first, rejected by Máire's husband, Alec
(Quinn), a man of few words
but many buried feelings.
As the story unfolds, it tells how Máire's
appreciation of the healing power of nature and of
colour, her hearty cooking and acceptance of people
as they are, transforms everyone around her.
Arguably too, the Inishowen landscape in all its
diversity - sandy beaches, pebble beaches, sea
cliffs, shimmering sunsets and a small church set in
sand dunes (Lagg, Malin) - played its part in the
transformation. It is upon that beauty and diversity
that Inishowen tourism partners now hope to
capitalise once the film goes on open release
shortly in America and Europe.
Last evening's
long-awaited local screening had among its guests,
many of the children and adults from Inishowen and
other parts of Donegal, who had parts in the film.
Talented young Lifford actress, Tara Scully, who
plays a significant part as Tomás new island friend,
Nancy, also attended along with Buncrana Mayor, Cllr
Lee Tedstone, Donegal Deputy Mayor, Charlie
McConalogue, Cinemagic's chief executive Joan Burney
Keatings and Aideen Doherty of Donegal County
Council's film office. Buncrana Town Council
sponsored a wine and finger-food reception before
the film that allowed locals mill and chat against
the backdrop of traditional music by Dinny
McLaughlin and friends.
Aideen Doherty told the gathering that while her
office was instrumental in bringing the film to the
peninsula in 2008, it was the Inishowen locals
themselves who made the project such a huge success.
And while reluctant to single one person out for
praise, she went on to warmly thank Charlie
O'Donnell of Malin Head Fishermen's Co-Op for being
constantly on-hand to help the film-makers with all
they required.
"I may have been instrumental in getting people to
come here but once they came, the people of the
peninsula stepped up. There was nothing that was a
problem," she said.
Meanwhile, she said Inishowen "had arrived" and she
urged everyone involved in local tourism to
immediately make the most of the global exposure the
film would give the peninsula. To view more photos
click here.
