Features Colm Meaney
‘Comedy/horror follows the story of Betty from her aching poverty, to her murder of her son and finally to her last years as hangwoman of the Old Gaol’
After screening at over 35 festivals around the world, a short, animated film on Roscommon legend Lady Betty will be broadcast on Monday, the 8th of May at 12.20 am on RTE 2 and the RTE player.
‘Lady Betty’ is an animated short film telling the tale of Roscommon Gaol’s only female executioner. Narrated by a bickering pair of friends, Paddy (Colm Meaney) and Mick (David Pearse), this comedy/horror follows the story of Betty from her aching poverty, to her murder of her son and finally to her last years as hangwoman of the Old Gaol.
The film’s story writer, Lorraine Harton, came across the mysterious character of Lady Betty while researching little-known female historical figures in Ireland, and consulted with John Kerrigan of the Roscommon Town Heritage group to find out about all her wild and contradicting stories.
‘Lady Betty’ was produced by Dublin-based production company Whackala. It was funded by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and RTÉ, under their Frameworks animation scheme, previous recipients of which include the Oscar nominated ‘Late Afternoon’. It was directed by Paul McGrath, produced by Leticia Agudo and the screenplay was by Bobby Moloney.
After premiering at the Galway Film Fleadh in July 2021, Lady Betty has travelled the world, from Seattle to Rio de Janeiro to Melbourne, winning awards at home and abroad. It has also been nominated for Best Short at the Irish Animation Awards.
