"The Irish in Film"

The films will be shown in the Auditorium of the University's DiMenna-Nyselius Library on Wednesday evenings at 7 P.M.  The public is invited.

The series begins on October 2nd with "The Shamrock Spitfire" (2024) based on the true story of Dublin native Brendan Finucane, who despite Ireland's neutrality during the Second World War, joined the Royal Air Force and became a fighter pilot. Directed by Ian and Dominic Higgins, the film tells the story of Finucane's leadership and heroism. It stars Shane O'Regan as the real-life pilot. His father, Andy Finucane (Eoin Lynch) was a 1916 revolutionary, who at first opposed but later supported his son's ambition to join the RAF. Finucane's English mother, Florence, is played by Emily Outred, and his fiancee, Jean Woolford, is played by Bethany Billy.  As a spitfire flying ace, Finucane was credited with more than 28 aerial victories that the film illustrates in some exciting dogfight scenes.

Dr. William Abbott, Co-Director of the Irish Studies Program, who teaches in the History Department, will introduce the film and afterwards lead the Q. and A.