A film focusing on the lives and experiences of 30 of Ireland’s centenarians is due for release next month and the trailer is now available to watch on YouTube.
‘Older Than Ireland’ offers a fascinating insight into how lives have changed in Ireland over the last century.
It is directed by award-winning filmmaker Alex Fegan.
Next year sees the 100 year anniversary of the Easter Rising, which was followed by the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War.
That means that the 30 Irish men and women featured in the film were children during one of the most crucial periods of Irish history, as nationalists fought on both the battlefield and parliament to gain independence.
Their stories are a first-hand account of what life was like in Ireland in the early 20th century.
The film will focus on their personal lives aswell. The centenarians share their memories from key events in their lives such as the thrill of their first kiss, the joy of their wedding day and the pain at seeing loved ones pass away.
Living for more than a hundred years gives these people a wealth of experience and wisdom.
The description on the YouTube trailer says: “From the oldest Irish person ever on record, 113-year-old Kathleen Snavely to Ireland’s oldest man, 108-year-old Luke Dolan we meet a colourful cast of characters, from all walks of life, from the four corners of Ireland. These centenarians are our living history and these are their extraordinary stories.”
The past century has seen incredible progress in technology. First came the telephone, then the television, the internet and then the smartphone.
Travel has also been revolutionised with cars now everyday options for most, and flights to anywhere in the world readily available.
One woman is asked what she thinks has been the greatest invention in the past century. Take a look at the trailer below to find out what she said.
Older Than Ireland is due to be released in Ireland on 25th September.
