Movie makers are left charmed by Erris  

The cast and crew of a new movie that has recently wrapped filming in Belmullet have been blown away by the welcome they received.

Dominic Cooper, (of Mamma Mia fame) and Sarah Cadon are co-starring in Cry from the Sea.

The stellar international cast is completed by Sarah Bolger ( In America) and Aidan Quinn ( Benny & Joon)

Cry From The Sea is set in the aftermath of World War I and the Irish Civil War. It revolves around Seamus Óg Mac Grianna (Cooper), an Irish lighthouse keeper who has created a life of isolation and ritual in penance for a tragedy he feels he should have prevented. Seamus’s only company is Maire, his housekeeper and protector, who enables him to remain closed off from the world while quietly waiting for him to see her. His meticulously structured world begins to crack when he meets Edith (Gadon), an outspoken American war widow whose quest for closure ignites something in Seamus that will forever change them all.

The movie is set to showcase the natural splendour of Erris and bring its beauty to screens all over the globe.

“It’s been wet and windy but looks stunning!” said Kim Roberts from the Vancouver-based Sepia Films production company. “The welcome we have received has been fantastic. The people have been so friendly. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work here,” he added.

The production team searched the west coast for the ideal lighthouse for the movie and plumped for Ballyglass Lighthouse.

“We looked at every single lighthouse and lighthouse keeper’s cottage all along the west coast. This was the only one we found where we could have unimpeded views of the ocean and the surrounding area so it looked like it could be on an island.”

A traditional lighthouse keeper’s cottage that was lying derelict has been lovingly restored for the film.

“The lighthouse itself is beautiful and we restored the cottage that was here. It was derelict with no roof or doors, no windows, the floor was all rotting and there was rubble everywhere,” said Kim.

The movie makers worked alongside Mayo County Council and local architects and tradesmen to complete the transformative project.

The film’s star Dominic Cooper made headlines when he took the mic in McDonnell’s Bar in Belmullet to the delight of patrons. Backed by legendary local musician Michael S Togher, Cooper belted out the tunes in the pub. His co-star Aidan Quinn took in a round of golf at the world-famous Carne Golf Links during his stay.

Local Fine Gael Cllr Gerry Coyle believes the production has the potential to boost tourist numbers in North Mayo.

“We saw what happened in Achill with The Banshees of Inisherin. I am delighted that Erris has been chosen as the location to film this new movie and you can guarantee that cast and crew will be made to feel very welcome here. We have amazing scenery here in Erris and now the entire world will get to see it.”