Documentary starring Offaly woman (100) to be screened in Birr

A new documentary which focuses on the life of 100-year-old Mabel Wallace from Shinrone will be shown in Birr Theatre & Arts Centre next month.

As Mabel marks 100 years, local filmmaker Nicholas Ryan Purcell decided to document her life and produce a new feature-length documentary dedicated to her in '100 Years of Change.' She was born into the Kenny family in Shinrone and as a child she was pampered by her governess and riding instructor. She married into the Wallace family from Ballincor.

Speaking about the documentary, Nicholas said: “I am glad my own family suggested producing this documentary film. I started production in March 2023 this year and I am grateful to Mrs Wallace and her daughter Kathy Dunne (nèe Wallace) and son Julian and family for entrusting me with Mrs Wallace's story.

“I have been very moved by the help I have received from people in connection with this documentary project, particularly local schoolteacher and historian, Joe Cleary, who has been most helpful in knowing people in the area of Shinrone. John Kenny of The Pike Ballingarry near Birr has conducted the interviews.”

Mabel was born in September 1923 and she was raised in Shinrone and has lived there all her married life. Her late husband Hume passed away in 2000. The documentary details many of Mabel's life experiences such as her memories of the first family car in 1930, cycling to Thurles races, travelling by horse and trap to Punchestown Races,when rural electrification first arrived in 1950s and the rationing of food during WWII.

The main topics that Mabel discusses are the old agricultural methods that she remembers such as a horse-drawn reaper and binder pulled by horses, making butter and watching a neighbour making bread in an open hearth fire. She also talks about learning essential household methods in school such as sewing and cooking, the significance of the Birr to Roscrea railway line, particularly loading cattle at Sharavogue siding, and getting on the train at Brosna station near Shinrone.

There is a focus on Mabel's extensive community work as she has been involved with Meals on Wheels and Daffodil Day.

With Mabel's living testimony as our guide, the viewer will venture into the heart of the Church of Ireland tradition in the rural parish of Shinrone and experience the thrill of the Ormond Hunt and the exhilarating world of point-to-point races through her eyes.

Nicholas utilizes details from intimate interviews and archival material that brings to life an era long gone. '100 Years of Change' becomes a poignant celebration of a life fully lived, a testament to the resilience and wonder of Mabel Wallace, who continues to inspire and captivate us all.

Mabel was shown the documentary in her home recently and thanked the Tipperary filmmaker for doing "such a good job" and said that she was looking forward to seeing it again.

Nicholas would like to thank John Kenny for conducting the interviews and music composer Jordan Lewis from Shinrone who composed piano music for the documentary.

'100 Years of Change' will be screened in Birr Theatre & Arts Centre on Friday, September 8 starting at 7pm.