Irish Film: The Queen of Ireland scores biggest opening box-office for an Irish documentary

New Irish documentary The Queen of Ireland opened over the weekend and quickly became the highest grossing Irish made documentary ever at the Irish box-office.

The film opened at 23 cinemas across the Republic of Ireland, capturing an incredible €47,906 Wednesday to Monday. The film’s €39,336 5-day weekend saw it take the title of third highest (non-concert) documentary opening of all time. Earlier this year Amy became the second highest opener with €41,213, but both films fell considerably short of Farenheit 9/11‘s staggering 267,252 in 2004. Unfortunately, as the €39,336 total included two days of previews, The Queen of Ireland fell just short of cracking the Irish box-office top ten.

The Queen of Ireland has received rapturous praise from both Irish film critics and audiences, receiving 5 stars from numerous publications (including us) and multiple standing ovations at screenings in the IFI and Light House Cinema.

The film is directed by film-maker and photographer Conor Horgan (One Hundred Mornings, Deep End Dance, The Beholder) and builds up a multi-faceted picture of a complex and compelling character through behind the scenes footage, archive, music and interviews with friends, peers and protégés.

The Queen of Ireland is produced by Katie Holly and Ailish Bracken for Blinder Films, with funding from Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board and RTÉ. The film is out now in cinemas nationwide and tickets can be booked online.