Bhuel, an bhfuil eagla ort?

By Daniel O’Neill

The first Irish language horror movie ever made is coming to cinemas this month and it’s already taking the world by storm.

‘An Taibhse’ (The Ghost), directed by John Farrelly, has won multiple prestigious awards overseas and has even been called “one of the best horror films in recent years” by The Hollywood News.

The film follows Éamon (Tom Kerrisk) and his daughter Máire (Livvy Hill) who, in a post famine Ireland, take care of a secluded mansion, only to be driven to the edge of insanity by the horrors within its walls. The film explores the depths of human resilience in the face of unspeakable horror and displays the ways the mind adapts to protect itself.

Director John Farrelly is a dedicated Gaeilgoir who wanted the story to be set in a time period where Irish was widely spoken. He was named Ireland’s best young film maker for his 2018 short film, ‘Choice’. He has since directed the award winning 2022 feature film, ‘The Sleep Experiment’, and the Irish language short, ‘Difriúil’.

Tom Kerrisk, who plays Éamon, is a renowned Irish actor, musician, and film producer. He was awarded the Best Actor award at the LA Horror Film Festival in 2022 for his performance as Christopher Sampson in ‘The Sleep Experiment’ and has worked on a multitude of films like the Star Wars short, ‘The Lost Jedi’, the skin-walker thriller, ‘A Hollow Tree’, and the Irish language film, ‘Different’. He was also an executive producer in both ‘The Sleep Experiment’ and 'An Taibhse’ and is also known for his musical work in Irish rock bands The Spikes and Mystic Tears.

Belfast native Livvy Hill plays Máire. The talented actress has worked on several films including the Star Wars short, ‘The Lost Jedi’ along with her ‘An Taibhse’ co-star Kerrisk, and the short film, ‘DEBT’. She also worked in the costume department on the upcoming, ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ movie. She won the Best Actress award at BARS in Argentina for her performance in ‘An Taibhse’.

The film has won several awards, both nationally and overseas, including the Honorary Language Preservation Award in Iceland; Best Cinematography at FanFixion, Chile; and Best Actor and Best Cinematography at HORRORFEST, South Africa.

An Taibhse releases in theatres across Ireland on 28 March. Book tickets now in your local cinema for a horrifying experience you won’t forget.