Tamaillín

Eight years ago, Tadgh de Brún drove me to meet Noel Linehan, a native of north Cork. ‘This man’, he explained ‘is a maverick, and with your interest in the arts and nature,

I’m positive you'll get along fine with each other!’

Shortly after, my wife and I sat in Noel’s living room, seeking advice. We wanted to honour the sudden passing of a friend by planting a native oak tree.

‘Follow me!’, was his response! We trotted after Noel down to the glen and, standing amongst a dozen lofty Sitka spruce trees, Noel announced: ‘I’ve been meaning to remove these. The storms are knocking them anyway. Would this patch of ground suit your idea?’

It is the winter of 2019 and soon after, a professional was at work felling the giant spruces. I realised the value of Noel’s work outside of his farming chores. Mavericks tend to be individuals with extra sensory gifts. 

Asking Noel, on my first visit to the old cottage, filled with twisted bog oak and whitethorn roots: ‘Has anyone documented this place?' 'Not at all. Shure, most people

think I’ve a screw loose upstairs!’ he said, with a hearty laugh.

After that, I brought the camera to document Noel’s lifelong work. Seven years on,

the film TAMAILLÍN, you are about to watch tonight, came to fruition. 

This film would not have been possible without the generosityof Noel and Helen Linehan and the dedicated work of Barry McCarthy, on edit and graphics, and the talented composer and sound engineer, Conor O’Sullivan.

Declan O'Mahony. Director.