Local director asks 'Who is Dervla Murphy?’
by John Donohoe Updated: Wednesday, 29th December, 2010 5:00pm
Travel writer Dervla Murphy, profiled in Garret Daly’s documentary.
A documentary by Bellinter director Garret Daly on Irish travel writer Dervla Murphy will be screened on Sunday next, 2nd January.
'Who is Dervla Murphy?’, which won Best Documentary at the 2010 Waterford Film Festival, is the title of the film on Ireland’s most prolific travel writer, whose achievements include 24 books, countless journeys, a worldwide fan base and massive critical success.
This new documentary profiles the woman behind the words. A woman whose personal life has proved as fascinating as her extensive journeys. This complex and intriguing woman turned her back on normality at a time when nobody dared to ignore life’s conventions.
For five decades she has travelled the world and turned each experience into a successful book. Her first book, 'Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle’ is regarded by many as the inspiration for travel in their own lives. For a young Irish woman to set off cycling to India from Ireland in 1965, defines the unique strength that lies within this author. Her travels have brought her to Tibet, Cameroon, Rwanda, Peru, Ethiopia and Siberia. Dervla’s thoughts also are never far from politics, as featured in 'Race to Finish, The Nuclear Stakes’ and her writings on Northern Ireland in 'A Place Apart’.
Dervla Murphy, now 78, is the most successful Irish author in this genre. To many she has appeared as an enigma in the publishing world. She doesn’t accept advances on her books, leaving her to write what she wants, when she wants.
No stone is left unturned in a rare heartfelt interview with Dervla. Featuring exclusive footage at her home in Lismore and journeys with her granddaughters, viewers will be treated to a new insight of Dervla’s home life. The programme also features interviews with her daughter Rachel Murphy, broadcaster and travel writer Manchán Magan, and publisher John Murray.
Made over a period of two years, this documentary was produced independently by Offaly based production company Mixed Bag Media. The film is directed by Garret Daly, originally from Bellinter, and produced by Martina McGlynn, a native of Daingean in Offaly.
During production the project was assisted with a small grant from County Waterford Arts Office. Now that its completed, the film has attracted some very keen interest, notably TG4 who will be screening it on Sunday at 9.30pm.
Martina McGlynn said: “Even though we found it hard to attract finance initially, we carried on in the spirit of this great independent writer to make the film.
“And now here we are two years later with a wonderful profile of an inspiring Irish woman for audiences to discover and enjoy. It feels great to have achieved this goal without a major budget or backer.”
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