An inspirational young Donegal man who survived a horrific accident as a toddler has decided to share his story in film.
Bundoran boy Cealán Goan was just 18 months old when he drank caustic soda causing horrific injuries.
Quick medical action saved his life, but he faced a long journey of recovery and many procedures. It was ten years and 51 operations later before he was even able to taste food again.
He won the hearts of people nationwide when he featured on the TV3 documentary Temple Street.
However, 12 years and 12 more operations later, Cealán and his good friend Ryan Field have been inspired to make their own film telling Cealán’s story up to now.
“The inspiration to make the move actually came during lockdown,” says Cealán.
“I suddenly found myself contacted by lots of people from Australia and all over the world. Apparently, the episode of Temple Street I was in had been uploaded to YouTube and had been a big hit over lockdown. Hundreds of people had commented wondering what had happened to me in the past decade and how had my other surgeries turned out.
“Back then I was very shy and wouldn’t say five words to anyone. But now I am 24 and people will tell you it’s hard to shut me up.
“I know I’m lucky to be here and I decided to own what happened to me. So many people helped me along the way, My mum, my family, my doctors and my hometown of Bundoran. So I thought maybe if I told my story in my own words, I could thank them properly and maybe help someone else who was having a tough time.”
Cealán and Ryan set up a GoFundMe page to help with the costs and almost overnight they achieved their target. Originally, they just planned to put the film directly on YouTube but the support they have received has encouraged them to have a public screening.
“So now on July 20th my film Under the Kitchen Sink is going to be shown in my hometown cinema Eclipse Cinemas Bundoran – a cinema I have been going to since I was 4 years old. Tickets are on sale now and” laughs Cealán.
“My movie is showing on July 20th the day before the Barbie movie. So, you don’t have to choose between Ryan Gosling and me”.
Under the Kitchen Sink is showing at Eclipse Cinemas Bundoran on July 20th at 8:45. Tickets are on sale now and all profits will go to Cealán and Ryan.
Visit the ticket booking page here: https://bundoran.eclipsecinemas.com/event/79642
Cealan Goan – Under The Kitchen Sink
