The filmmaker behind a documentary detailing the life and times of former Kilbride parish priest the late Fr. Raymond Browne has said he was pleased with how the production was received when premiered at Roscommon Arts Centre on Thursday and Friday last. Fr. Browne died in November 2020.
Fourmilehouse native, Ronan Carley, said the documentary was shown to full houses on both nights which raised the possibility of additional dates in the near future.
“There was a great reaction to it and we had two great nights with full houses on both nights,” he said.
“I think it was quite emotional for some people who may have been involved with many of the local committees Fr. Ray was a part of.
“Fr. Ray’s family were there on Saturday night and I’m sure it must have been emotional for them too”.
Ronan, who now works as a primary school teacher in Co. Meath, where he lives with his wife Emer and son Conor, said of the four documentaries he has made, Fr. Browne’s story gave him the most satisfaction.
“The documentary starts with Fr. Browne during Covid-19 and features interviews with people who knew him. It also shows footage of Fr. Browne himself shot in Drumboylan, where he was a curate in the 1960s, as well as footage from Roscommon town,” Ronan said.
“For anything positive happening in any of those parishes he was at the coalface and driving it on”.
The documentary, which is three hours long, features years’ of footage – including bird’s eye views of Fourmilehouse which Ronan shot with a drone – as well as interviews with a broad range of people including a number of in-depth conversations with Fr. Browne himself.
While it is hoped to have another showing of this poignant trip down memory lane at Roscommon Arts Centre in coming weeks, there are already plans in place to release it on DVD prior to Christmas.
