First Galway Film Fleadh takes to the Screens

The first Galway Film Fleadh was staged in Jul 1989 as part of the Galway Arts Festival. It was a huge addition to film and film production in Ireland. It has since become one of the largest and leading film festivals in Ireland. The archive of the Galway Arts Festival contains many records from  and references relating specifically to the Galway Film Fleadh.

Press Release, First Galway Film Festival

The first Film Fleadh opened on Jul 19^th and ran for five days, culminating on 24 Jul 1989. Its opening screening featured “Venus Peter”, the last film to feature the late Ray McAnally and directed by Ian Seller. The management team of the Galway Film Fleadh included Miriam Allen, Leila Doolan, Joe McMahon, Bob Quinn and Steve Woods.

Official Press Release: First Galway Film Fleadh

The Film Fleadh had dedicated events and screening for Irish language film, Irish made film in English and European and other foreign cinema. It was noted in the press release for the Galway Film Fleadh how Charles Haughey had recently announced his intention of supporting the foundation of an Irish language. The press release further describes the Galway Film Fleadh as being “about the films, film people and film politics; a veritable feast and one not to be missed”.

As well as film from established, new and emerging film makers, the Fleadh featured a series of screenings of archival films from the collection of the Irish Film Institute. The trip down memory lane included footage of rural electrification, T.B. eradication and an Tostal. Films in this series dated from 1911 to the early 1970s and range from advertisements to feature length films.

The Galway Arts Festival archive also contains programme records from the 1996 and 1997 Galway Film Fleadh. The records of the first and trend-setting Galway Film Fleadh, a brave an exciting departure in Irish and European film is a terrific addition to this already intriguing collection. 

Invitation to the premiere of "Venus Peter"