Poitín (1978)

A poteen maker attempts to avoid the attentions of the Gardai in Connemara

Director:

Bob Quinn

Writer:

Colm Bairead

Stars:

Cyril Cusack, Donal McCann, Niall Toibin

Cast

Credited cast:
Cyril Cusack	...	Michil
Donal McCann	...	Labhrás
Niall Toibin	...	Sleamhnan
Mairead Ni Conghaile	...	Máire
Tom Sailí Ó Flaithearta	...	Marcus (as Tomás Ó Flatharta)
Macdara Ó Fatharta	...	Garda
Mick Lally	...	Garda sergeant (as Micheál Ó Maolallaí)
Seán Ó Coisdealbha	...	Óstóir
Tomás MacEoin	...	Amhránaí
Bairbre Uí Dhonncha	...	Bean
Colm Bairéad	...	Feirmeoir
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Johnny Choil Mhaidhc

Storyline

A poteen maker attempts to avoid the attentions of the Gardai in Connemara

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Ireland

Language:

Irish

Release Date:

November 1978 (UK)

Also Known As:

Poteen

Filming Locations:

County Galway, Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cine Gael

Technical Specs

Runtime:

65 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the first feature film in the Gaelic language.

User Reviews

The film Poitin and cultural roots.

In a house scene the radio is turned on and a Gaelic Sean-nos singer is heard in the background as the scene unfolds. The background music in a way makes the location authentic.

The song on the radio was really from North Africa. Which leads into Bob Quinns thesis that the western islands have, among other, Islamic cultural roots.

He, in a sense, proved his point by default. It took me 3 or 4 reruns to realize that it wasn't a Sean-nos song.

The next question is to explore the West to East maritime influences. From this experience a simple "with us or against us" slogan misses the point of our interconnected origins.