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The Journal
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Colm Meaney to star as Ian Bailey in new film about a Sophie Toscan Du Plantier murder trial
JIM SHERIDAN'S FILM portraying a fictitious trial of British journalist Ian Bailey for the murder of Frenchwoman Sophie Toscan Du Plantier in west Cork will have its Irish premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh in July. Jim Sheridan co-directed the film, entitled 'RE-CREATION', with David Merriman. It stars Colm Meaney as Ian Bailey, Jim Sheridan as Juror One, Aidan Gillen, and Vicky Krieps. Other notable names include John Connors, known for his role in Love/Hate, Brendan Conroy (Ros na Rún, Bodkin), and Jim Sheridan's daughter Clodagh Amira Sheridan. The premise of the film revolves around the deliberations of the jury and the unsolved case of the murder of 39-year-old Ms Toscan Du Plantier. A promotional still from the film. Tribeca Festival Tribeca Festival 'Based on real events, the film reconstructs, through the discussions between these twelve people, a case that ultimately invites the viewer to draw their own conclusions,' promotional material for the film reads. Ms Toscan Du Plantier was a 39-year-old filmmaker who was killed outside her holiday home in Cork in 1996. Ian Bailey was the prime suspect in the murder and was arrested twice by gardaí in connection with the case, but was never charged. He strenuously denied the accusation that he had anything to do with Ms Toscan Du Plantier's death. Advertisement In 2019, Bailey was convicted in absentia in Paris of the murder of the Frenchwoman and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. France failed in its application to have Bailey extradited from Ireland to serve the sentence. Bailey died at the age of 66 in January 2024. The film is set to premiere at film festival Tribeca in New York City on 8 June. It has been described as being a ' fiction-reality hybrid with a simple question at its heart: what if Bailey had been brought to trial for the murder in Ireland?' A still of Aidan Gillen in the film. Tribeca Festival Tribeca Festival Jim Sheridan, known for directing films including My Left Foot and In The Name of The Father, was also behind a 2021 documentary series examining the murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier. Toscan Du Plantier's son and parents were interviewed as part of the five-part series Murder at the Cottage. However, they reportedly asked for their contributions to the series to be removed due to disagreeing with Sheridan's editorial line that Bailey and his former partner were 'victims of a vast police plot'. Sheridan kept in touch with Ian Bailey up until his death. In an interview with The Sunday Independent following the latter's death, he said that he 'liked' Bailey and spoke to him often – although the two had a complicated relationship. Sheridan has said that he believes someone else is responsible for Sophie Toscan Du Plantier's murder. RE-CREATION premieres in Ireland at the Galway Film Fleadh on 8 July at 7pm at the Town Hall Theatre. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
World premiere for Gerry Adams documentary at Galway Film Fleadh
The documentary Gerry Adams: A Ballymurphy Man will receive its world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh in July, it has been announced. The Trisha Ziff-directed film is billed as "the first time Gerry Adams sits down to tell his story from teenage activist to party leader". It will screen at the Town Hall Theatre in Galway on Saturday 12 July at 4pm. The festival will open on Tuesday 8 July with Re-Creation from co-directors Jim Sheridan and David Merriman. In Re-Creation 's fictitious Irish trial, a jury must decide whether the British journalist Ian Bailey, who died in January 2024, is guilty of the murder of the French filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier in west Cork in December 1996. Ian Bailey was arrested twice by gardaí investigating Ms Toscan du Plantier's death. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions decided no charge was to be brought against him in relation to her murder. He was convicted in his absence of the murder by a French court in 2020 and a 25-year sentence was imposed on him. However, the High Court in Ireland ruled that he should not be extradited to France to face that jail term. Ian Bailey protested his innocence until his death in Cork in January 2024. The cast of Re-Creation includes Vicky Krieps, Jim Sheridan, Aidan Gillen, Colm Meaney, and Brendan Conroy. The Galway Film Fleadh will close on Sunday 13 July with The Life of Chuck, writer-director Mike Flanagan's adaptation of the Stephen King science fiction novella of the same name. The film stars Tom Hiddleston in the title role alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, and Mark Hamill. The Life of Chuck opens in Irish cinemas on Friday 22 August. Galway Film Fleadh Director of Programming Maeve McGrath said: "The Fleadh is opening strong in 2025 with the Irish premiere of Re-Creation, fresh from its world premiere at Tribeca [Film Festival in New York]. "We are delighted to have a big year of Irish films at the Fleadh this year with over 42 Irish films screening, with the Fleadh providing a platform for Irish film year on year. "Documentary filmmakers play a pivotal role in bringing stories of the world to the screen and in Gerry Adams: A Ballymurphy Man director Trisha Ziff brings Gerry's story to the screen from his youth to the present day. "We are thrilled to be closing the Fleadh with The Life of Chuck, a stunning film that won the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). [It's] A film with strong characters that will make the audience reflect on their own relationships. A must-see at the Fleadh in July." Watch: The trailer for The Life of Chuck
Irish Independent
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
The story of a released prisoner who turns up at his ex's home in a stolen van to try to win her back is re-told in hit play
But, one particular incident saw a van stolen from outside a premises in the town only for it to be recovered in Newport, some 43 kilometres away. That incident – with names changed, for obvious reasons – sets the scene for 'Outlaw Pete', a play set in Ballinrobe that has won rave reviews in Galway, which debuts in Castlebar's Linenhall on May 22. Pete, newly released from prison, arrives at the door of his ex-partner, Jane, in a van he stole from Ballinrobe, determined to win her back. Things get messier when it he learns that Jane now has two kids in an unhappy relationship with someone else. What ensues is described as 'a powerful exploration of love, loyalty, and deception' with three complicated characters, culminating in a dramatic climax that has enthralled sold-out audiences in Galway's Town Hall Theatre. Mick Donnellan is delighted to see his eighth play come back to the county that inspired its not-for-the-faint-hearted 18+ plot. 'It's set in Ballinrobe, and it has certain references to other places like Ballintubber, Westport and Castlebar is in there, Partry is in there, Galway is in there. People love to hear place,' Mick tells the Irish Independent. 'It's like Brian Friel and Faith Healer, it's all about the lyricism of the place. It's always an effective thing.' Mick Donnellan is not unfamiliar with setting works of fiction in provincial Ireland. Four of his novels; Fishermans's Blues, Galway Blues, El Nino and The Dead Soup all shine a light on the more rugged side of life in Mayo, Galway and Athlone. Outlaw Pete stars Carl Jones, Laura Hutchinson, Brian Cahill, and Carl Jones. The former two have strong Mayo connections, which is a plus in this kind of setting. 'They know the part and the material and the dialogue and the material of the story is quite Mayo, is quite rural, is quite west,' says Mick. 'It's just capturing a kind of a dialogue or a story or a sort of a hunger that some people have to hear their own community on the stage.' ADVERTISEMENT Learn more The plot, for reasons outlined above, isn't as daft as it seems either. 'If you watch a mafia film and it's all very slick and it's all very cool, but when you are in Ballinrobe it has the hallmarks of a gang feud and gang violence, but there is always a quirky Mayo side where they don't steal a Ferrari, they steal a flower van. There is always that kind of random sort of absurdity to it that I was trying to capture in the play as well,' he says. 'There is an issue at the moment with gang violence, but it's the way that it's interpreted that makes it creative and interesting to watch.' The words 'gripping… riveting… powerful… hilarious… original… beautifully written… outstanding acting… superbly produced' accompanied reviews of Outlaw Pete after its Galway run. Where to then after Linenhall? 'You never know. About ten years ago I wrote a play [Radio Luxembourg] that was supposed to be just a private reading just for a tester and I ended up selling the movie rights [Tiger Raid]. We shot it in Jordan as a war film, so you never know where it is going to go,' says Mick. 'I think I'd like to bring it [Outlaw Pete] again to Galway for the Galway Fringe [Festival], during the [Galway] Arts Festival, there's a fringe festival there as well that runs alongside it, I think that will be our next big hit.' Outlaw Pete by Mick Donnellan will be performed in the Linenhall Arts Centre on Thursday, May 22 at 8pm.
Irish Independent
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Full 2025 Galway Folk Festival line-up revealed featuring Lloyd Cole, Martha Wainwright and many more
A spokesperson for the festival promises an 'unforgettable experience' highlighted by two 'must-see headline performances'. According to the spokesperson: 'Renowned singer-songwriter Lloyd Cole will perform an intimate, Irish festival-exclusive show at the Town Hall Theatre. "Meanwhile, Montreal's celebrated singer Martha Wainwright will mark the 20th anniversary of her ground-breaking debut album with a full live performance, including hits like the iconic Bloody Mother Fucking A**hole, Factory, and When The Day Is Short. "These powerful songs, which established Martha as an undeniable talent, continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.' Other note-worthy acts featured on this years' line-up include: Fionn Regan, The Scratch, KÍLA, Seanchoíche, Ultan Conlon, Laura Duff, The Half Room, Tadhg Williams, and many more. In addition to the ticketed shows, festival-goers can enjoy free daytime events over the weekend. Cuppa Tea TV returns with The Market Stage, while Culture Vultures, hosted by Tony Clayton-Lea, will feature engaging conversations with special guests. The Youth in Music stage will showcase the rising stars of folk, while The Little Room of Folk and Westend Sessions offer intimate performances and vibrant sessions.' Speaking about the festival's return for a fourth edition, festival directors Gary Monroe and Peter O'Sullivan said: 'We're excited to return for our fourth year of celebrating folk, roots, and traditional music. The support for the festival has been amazing, with ticket sales from all over the world. This year is our biggest festival to date and we're delighted to expand the free weekend daytime events which are family friendly and will have something for everyone from pop up shows to food stalls and stalls from our friends at the Tiny Traders Village.' Tickets for all events can be purchased through the festival's website.
RTÉ News
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Galway Folk Festival announces full 2025 line-up
The Galway Folk Festival has announced the final line-up for this year's event, with over 60 live shows taking place across five stages in the city this June. Among the act playing from 4 to 8 June are Lloyd Cole, Fionn Regan, The Scratch, Kíla, Martha Wainwright and Seán Keane. Tickets are on sale here. This is the fourth year of the festival which brings international artists and Irish talent from the folk, roots, and traditional music scenes to Galway. Singer-songwriter Lloyd Cole will perform an intimate, Irish festival-exclusive show at the Town Hall Theatre, while Montreal singer Martha Wainwright will mark the 20th anniversary of her debut album with a full live performance, including hits like Factory and When The Day Is Short. Also playing this year are Project Smok, Seanchoíche, Daoirí Farrell, BRÍDÍN, Briars, First Class & Coach, and Yonder Boys. There are also a range of free daytime events, including Culture Vultures, hosted by Tony Clayton-Lea, featuring conversations with special guests, The Youth in Music stage highlighting the rising stars of folk, and The Little Room of Folk and Westend Sessions offering intimate performances and sessions. Commenting on this year's Galway Folk Festival, Festival Directors Gary Monroe and Peter O'Sullivan said, "We're excited to return for our fourth year of celebrating folk, roots, and traditional music. The support for the festival has been amazing, with ticket sales from all over the world. "This year is our biggest festival to date and we're delighted to expand the free weekend daytime events which are family friendly and will have something for everyone from pop up shows to food stalls and stalls from our friends at the Tiny Traders Village."
