A powerful documentary on the life of a 94-year-old Donegal man has received critical acclaim at an international film festival.
‘Echoes of an Irish Lifetime’, by Frances Maguire, is a poignant short film that follows her uncle, Pettigo man, Owney McGoldrick, reflecting on his life as he approaches its final chapter.
The documentary received an Honourable Mention at last month’s East Village Film Festival in New York. It will also be screened over the coming months, and will be in the running for more awards, at the Florence Film Awards in Italy, London Movie Awards, International Gold Awards, Paris Film Awards, and the South Cinematic Academy Film & Arts in the USA.
Owney McGoldrick in a still from ‘Echoes of an Irish Lifetime’ and, inset, filmmaker Frances Maguire.
Having spent most of her working life in the local Gallagher’s Post Office, Ms Maguire said she had always wanted to delve into film.
“Daddy was a great storyteller and so was Owney – it was massive for us growing up,” she explains.
“I always visualised the stories I heard, and wanted to study film. When my youngest went into Transition Year (TY), I went to college in ATU Letterkenny to study digital media and film production. This film was for my dissertation.”
Through his gentle narration, Owney shares heartfelt memories of the place he has called home for his entire life, rural Crilly, near Pettigo, weaving a tapestry of gratitude and quiet solitude.
“His words carry a bittersweet tone, filled with wisdom and longing, as he offers touching advice to younger generations: to pause, take in the beauty of the world around them, and cherish the simple blessings life has to offer,” a blurb for the documentary reads.
A portrait of Owney in his younger days sits proudly in his Pettigo home.
With a deep sense of appreciation for all he has experienced, Owney’s story is a tender reminder of the importance of gratitude and the fleeting nature of time.
Speaking to Donegal Daily, Ms Maguire described her uncle as a ‘very quiet man’, but he said he was astonished to discover he will be appearing in front of audiences around the world.
“Local people recalled stories from Owney’s house. He’s from an era that’s going to be lost and disappear if we don’t nurture it,” she said.
“Owney is a very quiet man, but he is delighted that the documentary on his life is being selected for international film festivals.”
She also hopes to screen the documentary closer to home, in Pettigo, and is currently working on a few scripts on a comedy set in rural Ireland. Watch this space!
You can watch ‘Echoes of an Irish Lifetime’ by clicking on the image below:
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