Memories of ‘Ryan’s Daughter’

Sir — Reading the article on Paul Rowan’s new book, in the Living section of the

Sunday Independent (July 19), on the famous David Lean film

Ryan’s Daughter brought back some coming-of-age memories of growing up in the very suppressed Ireland of the 1970s.

I was so in awe of this windswept movie that I went back to the Savoy cinema in Dublin to view it at least three times if not more. I’m remembering the wonderful 70mm film on the giant screen; the wonderful windswept Kerry scenery; the great acting of Oscar-winner John Mills as the village idiot Michael. And of course, last but not least, remembering the famous love scene with Sarah Miles and Christopher Jones in the woods. The rumour in the country at the time was that this particular scene was all done for real, no acting here.

Magic memories indeed. Brian Mc Devitt,

Glenties, Co Donegal