Film Donation

Monday, March 10, 2014 - 00:00

Mr. Terry Nealon deposits films in the IFI Irish Film Archive on behalf of Maire Kelly, who died in March 2013.  Maire was Maynooth University 's College Resident’s officer for 27 years.  Dr. Denis Condon (L),  Lecturer in Film Studies; Kasandra O'Connell,  Irish Film Institute (C); and Professor Maria Pramaggiore (R), Head of Maynooth University 's Media Studies Department, assist with the handover. Photo credit: Dr. Jeneen Naji, Maynooth University Media Studies.

The films were made by Maire’s uncle Fr Edward Moriarty, who left Dingle for America in 1908. He became a Monsignor in Pittsburgh and remained there until his death in 1961. He filmed his visits to Ireland throughout the 30s, 40s and 50s; they feature the Eucharistic Congress, Glasnevin cemetery, and Slane Castle. IFI Irish Film Archive staff will inspect, catalogue, and digitize the films, preserving the originals in climate-controlled vaults.