NEW ‘DAWN’ FOR LANDMARK KILLARNEY FILM

80-YEARS ON IRELAND’S FIRST TALKIE HAS A DIGI-MAKEOVER

WITHIN discussions about Irish cinema history, Thomas G Cooper’s ‘The Dawn’ will forever sit on a lofty, sturdy perch.

The 1936 Killarney-based film was the first feature-length ‘talkie’ made in Ireland, and international screenings even prompted chatter of Killarney becoming Europe’s answer to Hollywood.

But in contrast to its thumping reputation, the original film itself was in a fragile state, and The British Film Industry had to house it in a specially controlled environment.

But now, 80 years down the road from its original release, ‘The Dawn’ has been digitised, its quality duly boosted, and is set for a December 9 screening in its birthplace, Killarney.

The process of digitising the original film to bring it closer to its original splendour came about from co-operation between the Cooper Family and the Digital Skills Production team at Kerry ETB.

Brian Nolan is co-creator of the centre’s ‘Dawn Workshops’ for film, and is an instructor on broadcast production skills at Kerry ETB. He discussed the challenging process with The Kerryman.

“It took over three months of careful, delicate work at little cost. We used a range of software tools, and it was an exciting project for our digital skills trainees to delve into,” he explains.

“It was a labour of love for all involved. Support from the Cooper family, and particularly Tom’s great grandson Diarmuid Galvin, was crucial.”

“Chris Garrett, Seamus Slemon and Kieran McCormick put a lot of work into this project after we received the necessary materials from The British Film Industry, and the trio deserve praise for the painstaking efforts they put into this project.”

The classic was shot and directed by Cooper in 1936, and he utilised everything the locality had to offer. ‘The Dawn’ showcased Killarney’s unique scenery,, and Cooper sourced technicians and actors from the town’s deep lake of talent.

The film’s plot was based on the War of Independence, and as the locals had either lived through or even taken part in the War, Cooper saw them as ideal candidates to act in the picture.

Brian praises Cooper generously in recalling his story.

“Thomas was the first Indie filmmaker in Ireland. As a boy, he was influenced by the visit of Kalem Film studios of New York to Killarney to make films based on our local stories.”

“Kalem’s plan to set up a studio near Killarney ended with the arrival of war in 1914, but the advent of “The Dawn” in 1936 restored hopes that Killarney could become the Hollywood of Europe. The film was screened to bumper audiences and acclaim in the U.K. and New York, and received compliments from Maud Gonne and others within the Literary Revival.“

The arrival of another War levelled dreams of Killarney developing to become the focal point of European cinema, but The Dawn’s influence and stature have never dulled.

“It was a milestone in Irish cinema history, a brave step away from silent film, and its first digital screening on Friday gives it the kind of stage it deserves,” Brian said.

“The film deserves to be honoured and to have more made of it. It was momentous for Irish cinema, and it happened on our doorsteps.”

Photo copyright Michelle Cooper Galvin. Local actors gather in the volunteers’ hideout in ‘The Dawn’.

Photo off original film by Michelle Cooper Galvin The local brigade in their headquarters in The Dawn Davie Hurley, Pat O’Meara, dado Hurley, Paddy Looney and Vince Doyle which was released in 1936.

Thomas G Cooper calling headquarters with (right) Tadgh O’Sullivan in ‘The Dawn’.