Well known to Limerick people on their way to the scenic beauty of Lough Derg or taking time out to explore the beauty of east Clare the peaceful village of Tuamgraney could soon find itself the centre of international attention.
Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio and former soccer star,Vinnie Jones, are set to soon walk the street of the lakeshore village as the cameras roll in shooting a multi-million dollar blockbuster about the legendary High King of Ireland, Brian Boru.
Driving the bid to bring the film crews to the village in which the controversial Irish writer Edna O'Brien was born, is Tuamgraney native Tomas MacCormara of the Clare Heritage Office, who says:
"The village of Tuamgraney has been cogently aware of its unique connection with the legendary High King of Ireland, Brian Boru, for centuries".
The bid by East Clare and the Clare Heritage Office has been presented to the Irish Film Board and there is well-founded belief that the film crews could start rolling into the streets of the East Clare village at the beginning of next year.
The film,Freedom Within the Heart, tells the story of the last undisputed High King of Ireland, Brian Boru, as he leads his people to freedom against the marauding Vikings.
"For almost 1000 years Brian Boru has stood out as an Irish historical icon who internationally, is celebrated for his unparalleled contribution to uniting Ireland and quelling the destabilising impact of the Vikings,"comments Mr MacCormara.
"Born in neighbouring Killaloe, he was to become the only undisputed High King of Ireland and arguably occupies the position of the most significant figure in Irish history".
An interesting historic fact is that Boru provided a lasting tribute to the village when in 1012, at the height of his kingship, he repaired and visited St Cronan's Church at the heart of the village - the church doorway, which was built around 950 following Viking destruction and which has remained unchanged since the High King's visit.
This has,according to Mr MacCormara "bequeathed Tuamgraney the inimitable claim of having the only preserved building that allows one the opportunity of literally walking in the footsteps of the great Brian.
"Tuamgraney is also adjacent to Lough Derg on which Boru, with his naval fleet, Cobhlack Mor, sailed past en route to numerous battles".
Confirming that contact has been established with Moron Pictures to consider Boru's doorway as a location for some scenes in the movie, the Clare Heritage Office said that the Hollywood producers are being asked to take cognisance of the part the village could play in adding to the authenticity of the film.
Leonardo DiCaprio |
Their chairperson, Lorna Moloney, said they have been persistent in promoting the village connection with Boru.
"Ultimately, the presence of Leonardo DiCaprio, Vinnie Jones and the Hollywood producers in Tuamgraney, would further highlight the importance of the village in the chronicles of Irish history and would also help highlight the area as a major tourist attraction in the region,"she said.
Speaking at the Milwaukee Irish Fest following a lecture series on the great High King, Tomas Mac Conmara claimed that locating Freedom of The Heart in Tuamgraney would have long term benefits for the local economy.
"There are obvious economic benefits associated with creating a tourism product based on a historical figure like Boru - this is strongly evidenced by the impact of films like Braveheart and Rob Roy on the Scottish tourist industry.
"Considering that Boru is a far more significant historical figure than the former two and that history has bequeathed the area around Killaloe and Tuamgraney with far more tangible remains, it is imperative that East Clare seizes the opportunity and prepares itself for the potential impact of this imminent Hollywood production".
Pointing out that many businesses, franchises and pubs all over Ireland, as well as in places like New Zealand and America adorn their premises with the High King's name.
Mr MacConmara said that while countless books have detailed the life of Brian Boru and the number of publications is continuously growing, all this highlights the fact that there is now a need for a single major focal tourist attraction in the East Clare area and that Tuamgraney is the ideal location for such an attraction.
