A Grand Experience at Tullamore Omniplex

Over 200 hundred people packed into Screen 1 in Tullamore Omniplex last Tuesday for the premier of A Grand Experience. The film documentary is about three artists - Eugene O'Brien, Veronica Nicholson and Wayne Brennan - on board the 68M barge from Shannon Harbour to Edenderry. Produced by Martina McGlynn and Directed by Garret Daly the film captures the people they met, the places they visited and the inspiration they found. The documentary was funded by Offaly County Council through the per cent for art scheme as part of a collection of artistic responses to the Grand Canal, which were launched the evening before by Minister for Arts, Jimmy Deenihan TD. The audience last Tuesday was largely made up of the people who took part locally, public representatives, the artists and their families and friends, who were all eagerly anticipating seeing the film for the first time. Speaking at the launch incoming Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council Peter Ormond praised the film. "I think you will agree when you see this film, that Martina and Garret have created an extraordinary perspective of the Grand Canal, one which captures its beauty, the welcoming community and the inspiration the Grand Canal can have on three artists," he said. "We would like to thank everyone who participated in the making of this film, particularly members of community from Shannon Harbour through to Edenderry who came out in force to be part of it. In particular we would like to thank those who have spend countless voluntary hours promoting and protecting the Grand Canal, from the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, Tullamore Canal Community Group, Ballycommon Canal Regeneration Group, Pullogh Action Group, Ferbane Development Association, Daingean Development Association to the Heritage Boat Association to Waterways Ireland. It is your tireless work which has enabled the Grand Canal to be promoted in this way and this we greatly appreciate." As the opening sequences began it became very obvious that this is a film with great expectations, which were quickly met. From the cinematic opening shots to the relief that all the artists were relaxed and at ease with the cameras, the journey began on its slow rhythmic traverse across the county. Along the way they discover unique and diverse aspects of life along the canal, from a boat builder and violin maker in Belmont, to the nuns at the Presentation Convent in Rahan, Sculpture in the Parklands, the French influenced Boland's Lock House and yoga in Ballycommon. During the journey the artists begin to connect to each other their shared experience and create their own responses to the expedition. Eugene O'Brien wrote a short story called the Greaser, Veronica Nicholson created a series of photographs and an animation and Wayne composed a song called Roots in these Lands, which he later performed to the delight of those at the reception. The film was enthusiastically received and the audience was animated in their praise afterwards. Many agreed that their eyes were now re-opened to something they had begun to take for granted. Following the premier, Offaly County Council will work with Mixed Bag Media to promote the film through film festivals, RTE, arts festivals and other local screening opportunities. Arts Officer Sinead O'Reilly said it is the intention that the film will reach a wide audience. The full collection of A Very Grand Canal which includes prints by Geraldine O'Reilly, a soundscape by La Cosa Preziosa (Susanna Caprara) and Veronica Nicholson's photographs and installation from the barge trip, are on view at Aras an Chontae until July 31, after which it will begin a national tour of events, venues and galleries.