The 12th Dingle International Film Festival has announced that this year’s Opening Night film will be The Camino Voyage/Iomramh an Chamino. The film will screen on March 22nd.
An epic 2,500 km modern day celtic odyssey, The Camino Voyage/Iomramh an Chamino is directed by Dónal Ó Céilleachair. It features Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich, Glen Hansard, Liam Holden, Brendan-Pháid Ó Muircheartaigh and Writer and Poet; Domhnall Mac Síthigh (1951-2017).
For hundreds of years people sailed from Ireland to A Coruña in Northern Spain and walked the camino to Santiago de Compostela from there. This inspiring crew have done their own version of this historical voyage in a Naomhóg (a traditional West Kerry curragh). Every community that they have connected with en route opened their doors – and their hearts – to this crew, and the men have in exchange, inspired them with their courage, endurance, storytelling, music, poetry and song in a coming together of people in the most fundamental and ancient of ways.
This intimate documentary charts the trials and tribulations of a voyage that in the words of Domhnall Mac Síthigh, took “sweat, blood and blisters to complete while deepening and renewing friendships, creativity and spirituality in the process”.
The Camino Voyage/Iomramh an Chamino is an Anú Pictures Production in association with Phoenix Films and is funded by Údarás Craolacháin Na hÉireann/The Broadcasting Authority Of Ireland and with the participation of TG4, RTÉ agus Bord Scannán Na hÉireann /The Irish Film Board. It is produced by Martina Durac and Dónal Ó Céilleachair and the Executive Producers are Pádraig & Síle Ó Laighain.
The film is dedicated to the Memory of Domhnall Mac Síthigh (1951-2017)
https://vimeo.com/11453597
We are thrilled that Dónal Ó Céilleachair will be here in Dingle with key members of the Camino crew and special guests to present this Epic Celtic Odyssey. A film depicting these inspiring men, largely from Dingle, and their extraordinary adventure, is the perfect Opening Night film for Dingle IFF. It is of major significance too as it will honour the spirit of local writer and poet Domhnall Mac Síthigh.
Maurice Galway, Festival Director – Dingle International Film Festival
Corca Dhuibhne/The Dingle Peninsula has a legendary reputation for its culture, storytelling, music, visual art and for a deep connection with the landscape that inspires both visitors and locals alike and each of these characteristics are well represented by the crew of the Naomhóg na Tinte (The Naomhóg of the Tents).
When the Naomhóg left Ireland in 2014 on this historic 2,500km modern day Celtic Odyssey not everyone believed that such an epic voyage was possible but through sheer perseverance and an uplifting freedom of spirit – that is so emblematic of all that is inspiring in Irish culture – the crew overcame Herculean tasks and challenges to finally reach Santiago de Compostela 3 years later.
With over 200 hours of footage shot over the 3 years of the odyssey this film has been 4 years in the making and has come with its own obstacles and challenges; but the great lessons of the Camino can become the great lessons of life for those willing or able to listen and to hear. The tragic loss of Danny in 2017 only reminds us of the preciousness of this short time we have on this unique planet of ours and we would do well to take inspiration from his own inimitable independence of spirit.
I consider it a great privilege to have accompanied this eclectic crew on their historic voyage and if the film manages to do some justice to this great modern day odyssey, and to the memory of this larger-than-life man from Baile Eaglaise, it will have accomplished something. “
Dónal Ó Céilleachair, Director
For limited tickets to this special event book now.
You can also pre-book your opening tickets through a variety of support packages at the festival’s Indiegogo campaign.
The 12th Dingle International Film Festival takes place 22-25 March in venues on The Dingle Peninsula.