A new documentary profiling three Youghal brothers airs on TG4 on St Stepehn's Night at 9.10pm.
Na Lumière Gaelacha, which had its sold-out world premiere at the 69th Cork International Film Festival, is produced and directed by Darina Clancy of Cormorant Films based at Ardsallagh, West Waterford.
It explores the world of three brothers, James (Jim), Thomas (Tom) and Philip (Phil) Horgan from Youghal who, at the turn of the 20th century, rose from poverty to become pioneers in image capturing, photography, cinema and animation in Ireland.
The Horgan Brothers Collection is now one of the most important and oldest collections in Ireland. Their story, while recognised in academic circles, has never been told.
Narrated by Waterford's Carrie Crowley, this documentary will look a time when image capturing was unique, experimental, exciting and unfamiliar.
From their earliest experiments with photographic manipulation, including stereo pairs, portrait, landscape and social historical photography, to their travelling magic lantern shows, films and development processes, the brothers pioneered newsreels and the earliest Irish animation - far ahead of Disney.
Featuring first-hand affectionate stories from Horgan descendants and supported by expert contributions, the Horgan Brothers’ story will be brought to life through their own precious restored archive and family artefacts including original Horgan glass slides and their own camera.
The great, great grandchildren of James Horgan feature in many of the Edwardian style reconstructions in the documentary.
Filmed in East Cork and West Waterford, Na Lumière Gaelacha features actors from Brideview Drama club in Tallow, Youghal Musical Society, The Killeagh Monday Club and local entertainers.
The documentary was funded by TG4, Coimisiún na Meán, Cork County Council, Youghal Credit Union and UCC.
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