Acclaimed film with strong Offaly links to be shown on TV

An acclaimed Irish language film with strong Offaly links will get its Irish television premiere on March 18.

'Tarrac' from the pen of Offaly writer, Eugene O'Brien, and directed by Clara's Declan Recks, will be screened on TG4 on Monday, March 18 next at 9.30pm.

'Tarrac' which means pull as Gaeilge was filmed on the stunning Dingle peninsula, and has been described as a heartwarming and intimate character study of a woman who through a sporting passion (currach racing) finally manages acceptance and love.

It centres around Aoife (Kelly Gough), a workaholic based in Dublin, who reluctantly returns home to Kerry to care for her father Brendan ‘The Bear’ O’Briain (Lorcan Cranitch) after his heart attack.

Having left years previously after the death of her mother, the relationship between father and daughter is strained. During her stay, Aoife begins to reconnect with her home and old friends, getting involved again in Naomhóg or currach racing.

Eventually, she agrees to join the local team and strive to win the regional finals for their village, a feat not achieved in 22 years.

“For myself, Declan and Clíona and Kerry was absolutely vital to the film. This world-renowned landscape battered by the Atlantic ocean is the home to the unique boat. The location has such great identity from the language to the landscape to the characters and indeed the boat itself,” said the film's writer Eugene O'Brien.

'Tarrac' opened in Irish cinemas back in October, 2023.

The drama won the best cinematography award for director of photography Patrick Jordan at the Galway Film Festival.

The film was produced by Icebox Films. The Irish language film was funded by TG4, Screen Ireland, and the BAI (Coimisiún na Meán) as part of the Cine4 scheme to produce feature length original films in Irish.

'Tarrac' has already been shown locally in Tuar Ard, Moate, and at a previous OFFline Film Festival in Birr.