Portarlington Dramatic Society members took part in the first ever talking film in Ireland

THE first in a six-part radio documentary about the first ever ‘all talking picture’ (cinema talkie) shot in Ireland in 1931,and involved members from the Portarlington Dramatic Society is to be aired on Friday 7 February at 11am on Tipp Mid West Radio.

In December 1931 scenes for a landmark film - Sweet Inniscarra - were shot in Cashel, Co. Tipperary by a film crew consisting of Irish, British and US personnel.

The film was based on the play of the same name written in 1897 by American playwright Augustus Pitou.

The film version of the play was significant in that it was publicised as the first ‘all talking picture’ to be shot entirely in the country with an all-Irish cast and scenes. 

It was directed and produced by an Irish-American Emmett Moore. His background was in producing silent films and this was his first talkie.

The actors in the film were all amateurs from dramatic societies in Cashel, Fethard and Portarlington.

However there is no indication that any of the film scenes were shot in Laois but the members from Portarlington Dramatic Society who acted in the film included John F. Gill. Thomas Cribbin, William Reilly, James Flynn, May Douglas and Eva Wright.

The plot of Sweet Inniscarra was centred around Gerald O'Carroll's love for Kate O'Donoghue. Her father however wished her to marry a wealthy major who unbeknownst to everyone was in fact a penniless villain at heart. Ultimately O'Carroll transpires to be the heir to a fortune in Jamaica and wins the day. The film concludes with the marriage of Gerald O'Carroll and Kate O'Donoghue.

Sweet Inniscarra was promoted as an Irish romance film depicting the habits, customs and mannerisms of the natives besides revealing many Irish beauty spots to the silver screen for the first time. The film encompassed music, song and dance. It was 72 minutes in duration and shot in black and white. It was shown in cinemas in the USA in 1932 and in Ireland in 1933 receiving both positive and negative reviews.

Unfortunately in the years that followed the film was believed to have been lost or destroyed.

This six part documentary will investigate the story of Ireland's first talkie, its cast, its producer Emmett Moore and examine some of the efforts made over the years to try and locate a copy of the film.

Tom Hurley who produced the series will also be revealing the outcome of his own attempt to find a copy.

The documentary about Sweet Inniscarra will be aired over six consecutive Fridays at 11am on Tipp Mid West Radio beginning on 7 February with a repeat of each episode the following Tuesday evening at 6:30pm. The programmes will also be streamed on www.tippmidwestradio.com.