Pauline O'Connell and Ciarán Walsh filming 'Drawing The Water' with Thomas O'Sullivan. Photo: Siobhan Dempsey, Latitude Imaging.

Ciarán Walsh makes debut as film maker

Ciarán Walsh of Ballyheigue makes his debut as a film maker with a screening of a short film in Milltown at the weekend. ‘Drawing the Water’ is a public art project by artist Pauline O’Connell. It was commissioned under the Per Cent for Art Scheme that is administered by the Arts Office of Kerry County Council. It was filmed by Walsh in September, on location in Milltown and in a studio in Ballyheigue.

It was inspired by ‘The Spout,’ a public water supply in the centre of the Milltown that was a focal point in the town as local people ‘drew’ fresh water on daily basis. O’Connell developed the piece over a year, collecting stories about ‘The Spout’ in schools and in the community.

‘Drawing the Water’ is a 4.5 minute film that deals with the tasks associated with collecting water. “It’s an intense reflection on the importance of water, the rhythm of the task of collecting it and the sensuous quality of washing by hand. It’s informed by all the conversations that Pauline has had with people in the town’” says Walsh who spent 3 days filming the artwork for O’Connell. The filming  involved Thomas O’Sullivan of Milltown and the shoot was documented by photographer Siobhan Dempsey of Ballyferriter.

Walsh has set up a production company that is based in Ballyheigue. He has a number of projects in development and ‘Drawing the Water’ is the first to hit the big screen. It will be screened on a gable wall next to “The Spout” on Saturday evening followed by a second screening and a ceilí in the community centre in Milltown.

Still from the shoot on ‘Drawing The Water’ by Pauline O’Connell. Photo: Siobhan Dempsey, Latitude Imaging.