Kieran’s silver screen legacy lives on through charity work
THE memory of popular Listowel man and keeper of the flame of cinema in North Kerry for over 30 years was honoured last week, after proceeds from a documentary on his life were presented to charity.
The documentary, which is entitled ‘ The Window in Heavens Gable’, was shown in the Listowel Classic Cinema in June, and it tells the life story of Kieran Gleeson and his tireless work as the owner of the cinema.
After Kieran passed away from Motor Neurone Disease back In February 2016, Ed O’Connor and two of his friends, Seamus Flemon and Kevin Mulcahy, decided to make the film as a tribute to the great work of Listowel’s ‘ Toto’.
“Kieran’s story has everything you would want: passion, heart and a love of cinema at the centre of it all. In opening the cinema, we like to say that Kieran followed his heart and opened a picture palace. He gave up such a safe career as an accountant to follow his heart,” said Ed, speaking to The Kerryman.
As testament to the popularity of the man throughout his life, the screening was packed to the rafters, and last week, a cheque of €2,260 was presented to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association by Kieran’s wife, Teresa, and children, Alice and Ciaran.
Perhaps the biggest tribute that can be paid to Kieran and his work in the cinema is the inspiration that it gave to other Kerry natives to follow their own film-making dreams.
“By Kieran managing to keep this small local cinema open for so many years, it helped to create the likes of PJ Dillon and Gerard Barrett, who have gone on to have great careers,” said Ed.