County Clare, IRELAND, 16th August 07 - A small Irish village is lobbying Hollywood executives to have a multi-million dollar blockbuster shot at its front door.
The bid by East Clare Heritage and the Clare Heritage Office, which has been presented to the Irish Film Board, could see multiple Oscar nominee Leonardo DiCaprio and Hollywood hardman Vinnie Jones walking the streets of Tuamgraney in an upcoming movie on Brian Ború.
'Freedom Within The Heart' tells the story of the last undisputed High King of Ireland Brian Ború as he leads his people to freedom against the marauding Vikings. The movie is being produced by Maron Pictures and is due to begin shooting at the beginning of 2008.
For almost 1,000 years Brian Ború has stood out as an Irish historical icon. Internationally Ború is celebrated for his unparalleled contribution to uniting Ireland and quelling the destabilising impact of the Vikings. Born in Killaloe in East Clare, Brian Ború would become the only undisputed High King of Ireland and occupies arguably the position of the most significant figure in Irish history.
"The village of Tuamgraney in East Clare has been cogently aware of its unique connection with the legendary High King of Ireland Brian Ború for centuries", explained Tomás Mac Conmara of the Clare Heritage Office.
The Tuamgraney-native added, "Ború, born just seven miles away in Killaloe provided a lasting tribute to the village when in 1012AD at the height of his Kingship he repaired and visited St. Cronán's church at the heart of the village. The fact that this doorway built c.950 following Viking destruction, has remained unchanged since the High Kings visit, has bequeathed Tuamgraney the inimitable claim of having the only preserved building where one can literally walk in the footsteps of the great Brian. Tuamgraney too lies adjacent to Lough Derg upon which Ború, with his naval fleet 'Cabhlach Mór'sailed past on route to numerous battles."
Mr. Mac Conmara confirmed that contact had been established with 'Maron Pictures' in order to make them aware Tuamgraney's connection with Ború and to encourage the production company to consider Ború's doorway as a possible location for a scene in the movie.
"The Hollywood producers of this movie are being asked to take cognisance of this unique connection and consider the part it could play in adding to the authenticity of the imminent movie", added Mr. Mac Conmara.
According to Lorna Moloney, Chairperson of East Clare Heritage, East Clare Heritage have been persistent in promoting it's connection with Brian Ború and will continue to so in advance of 2014, the thousand year anniversary of Brian Ború's death.
She added, "Ultimately, the presence of Leonardo DiCaprio, Vinnie Jones and the Hollywood producers in Tuamgraney would further highlight the importance of the village of Tuamgraney in the chronicles of Irish history and would also help highlight the area as a major tourist attraction in the region."
Speaking at the Milwaukee Irish Fest following a lecture series on Brian Ború, Tomás Mac Conmara claimed that the locating of 'Freedom of The Heart' in Tuamgraney would have long term benefits for the local economy, especially the tourism sector.
He explained, "There are obvious economic benefits associated with creating a tourism product based on a historical figure like Brian Ború. This is strongly evidenced by the impact of films like Braveheart and Rob Roy on the Scottish tourist industry. Considering that Ború is a far more significant historical figure than the former two and that history has bequeathed the area around Killaloe and Tuamgraney with far more tangible remains, it is imperative that East Clare seizes the opportunity and prepares itself for the potential impact of the imminent Hollywood production."
Studies have already shown the positive effect indigenous films have on a country's appeal as a tourist destination. The Scottish Tourist Board in conjunction with the research agency Hydra Associates conducted a study in 1996 to measure the effects indigenous films had on Scotland's economy. The results found those three indigenous films, Rob Roy, Braveheart and Loch Ness had a huge effect on many sections of Scotland’s economy not least the tourist industry. The value of Scottish Tourist industry grew by 7% in 1995 after the production of Rob Roy while the number of tourists grew by 13% in just one year following the production of Braveheart.
Mr. Mac Conmara said, "Given the status Ború already holds in Irish History and his popularity overseas the production of a movie on his life will, if marketed properly and responded to by the relevant agencies and tourist operators in the county, would have the same effect on Irish tourism could make East Clare one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country."
"Brian Ború is already a national and in many places an international figure. Countless books have detailed his life and the numbers of publications are growing as we continue to celebrate the millennium of his High Kingship. Many businesses', franchise's and pubs all over Ireland and in places like New Zealand and America adorn their premises with his name. His name has been mentioned in such T.V shows as Star Trek and Relic Hunter and he is set to grow in popularity as the 1,000 anniversary of his death approaches in 2014", he concluded.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor:
- Mr. Tomás Mac Conmara is currently on a Brian Ború lecture tour in the USA and is available for interview. He may be contacted at 087-9160373. Alternatively please Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com.
- East Clare Heritage featured on National television in 2005 when the voluntary group organised the hugely successful Lá Brian Ború (Brian Ború Day) in celebration of the ancient churches connection with the legendary High King. Eight local national schools participated, forming Brian Ború's army for the occasion, while local actors played Brian and his brother Marcán in a reconstruction of Brian's ceremonial visit in 1012. The event, which involved a talk by international best selling author Morgan Llewlyn, launched an exhibition at the centre, which illustrates the connection between the church and Ború.
- As far back as 1990 the Gleeson I.R.D. report (Government Pilot Programme for Integrated Rural Development, Patrick J. Gleeson, 1990) highlighted the fact that there was a need for a single major focal tourist attraction in the East Clare area and that Tuamgraney (due to its central location) was the ideal location for such an attraction. This report also stated that St. Cronan's Church (due to its unique history) “must obviously be considered as the key heritage Centre for Lough Derg and for the remainder of the East Clare Tourism Area".
Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
Clonboula,
Connolly,
Ennis,
County Clare
IRELAND
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (Mobile)
00353-656839692 (Fax)
