A new film which showcases the spectacular and unique history and heritage of the Milltown area is to be launched at the end of April.
Milltown: The Story of a Kerry Landscape is an initiative of the Milltown History and Heritage Society, a recently established voluntary group which aims to protect and promote the many distinctive features of the local landscape.
The film, directed by Niall Foley, was prompted by a desire to highlight how archaeology, heritage and key events and personalities in the past have shaped the development of the town and its hinterland over thousands of years.
The premiere of the new documentary will take place on Friday, April 25 at 8pm in the Old Community Hall in Milltown and will be followed by a round-table discussion with the team behind the film.
Tickets, at just €10, are now available from milltownhistoryheritage.ie with all proceeds going to the Milltown History and Heritage Society which has plans for several local oral history, conservation, and educational projects.
The script for Milltown: The Story of a Kerry Landscape was researched and written by Milltown natives and historians Dr John Knightly and Dr Owen O’Shea and the project coordinator was Stewart Stephens of the Milltown Community and Chamber Alliance.
Stewart said the film is a spectacular portrayal of the local landscape and the key milestones in the history of Milltown.
“The aerial cinematography from videographer Niall Foley is quite breath-taking and portrays Milltown in an innovative way with an emphasis on the unique local landscape and its heritage and archaeology.
“The film begins with the story of the 6,000-year-old portal tomb at Killaclohane and takes the story of the development of Milltown right up to the present day,” he said.
Key locations and sites like the 13th century Augustinian abbey at Killagha, the Mass Rock where Fr Thaddeus Moriarty was arrested in 1653, and Kilcoleman Abbey which was the home of the Godfrey family for hundreds of years, feature prominently in the film as well as the many social, cultural, economic, and political developments which made Milltown what it is today.
“One of our key objectives of the film is to inform existing residents as well as the many newcomers to our community in recent years about the history of the place and why preserving and protecting our history and heritage is so important. The hope is that there will be a renewed interest in the past and how it influences the present and the future,” said Stewart.
Milltown: The Story of a Kerry Landscape was funded by the LEADER programme and Kerry County Council. More information can be found on the Facebook and Instagram pages of the Milltown History and Heritage Society and from milltownhistoryheritage@gmail.com.
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