“The Three Urns” Celebrates Donegal’s Beauty and Hospitality in New Comedy
Pictured: Directors John-Paul Davidson, Stephen Warbeck and Oscar-nominated actor Ciarán Hinds
The cast and filmmakers of the new comedy The Three Urns have lauded the welcoming nature of the Donegal people and the region’s stunning scenery after filming in over 40 locations last spring. The film is set to be released nationwide on April 17th, including screenings at Century Letterkenny and Eclipse Cinemas in Bundoran and Lifford.
Lead actor Ciarán Hinds expressed his appreciation for the warm reception received throughout the county. “We were very welcome there,” Hinds said, noting the locals’ delight in the film’s presence. “Sometimes you have a little trepidation about disturbing the people who live [at a location] but they were quite delighted I believe. Not quite the circus coming to town but something that hasn’t happened in that area before.”
A Road Trip Through Emotional Landscapes
The Three Urns stars Hinds alongside Olga Kurylenko and Stephen Dillane, with a supporting cast including Stephen Fry and Sinéad Cusack. The film follows Mr. O’Connor (Hinds) as he returns to Ireland to scatter the ashes of his wife. Along the way, a series of encounters rekindles his zest for life.
Writer-directors John-Paul Davidson and Stephen Warbeck told Donegal Daily that they always envisioned the story unfolding on Ireland’s west coast, but it was Donegal that ultimately captured their imagination. “We had looked at places from Connemara through to Donegal and we fell in love with the wildness, beauty and sense of isolation that Donegal has,” they explained.
The filmmakers emphasized the integral role of the landscape in the narrative. “The landscapes play a very important role not only because it is a physical journey but also they become a metaphor for what Mr O’Connor is experiencing,” they said. “He is charged by his dead wife to visit places that meant so much to them both. So the film becomes a pilgrimage, an act of remembrance, and in the process he meets all these new people in strange and beautiful circumstances that Donegal has in droves. The locations that we found became crucial parts of the script which we adjusted as we found them.”
Donegal’s Landmarks Take Center Stage
Filming took place over four weeks in Ramelton, Raphoe, Dunfanaghy, and Buncrana, with assistance from the Donegal Film Office. Iconic Donegal landmarks, including Glenveagh Castle, Beltany, and Grianán of Aileach, feature prominently in the film. The ancient Beltany Stones in Raphoe were so inspiring to the filmmakers that they were incorporated into a pivotal scene.
Doe Castle also played a significant role, providing the setting for a key storyline. “We found the perfect denouement to The Priest’s story at Doe Castle. It has the most beautiful setting and its dilapidation which we made more eccentric with our set dressing reflected the two priests’ inner states,” Davidson and Warbeck stated.
A Personal Connection to the Story
The film holds a deeply personal resonance for Davidson, as the location where Mr. O’Connor scatters his wife’s ashes is the same place where Davidson scattered the ashes of his parents. “From my point of view, there is a sense of reconnection. My dad died 40 years ago and this film is a homecoming,” he shared.
The atmosphere of Donegal also shaped the film’s tone, described as open-hearted, reflective, and gently humorous. Davidson added, “The idea of hospitality, acceptance of strangers into one’s home, is at the heart of the film.” He further explained that his mother, a refugee from Nazi Germany, was overwhelmed by the kindness of the Irish people, and his father cherished the humor and storytelling traditions of Donegal.
Kindness and Beauty: A Lasting Impression
Director of photography Richard Kendrick praised the diverse range of locations Donegal offered. “Donegal gave us a great scope for different locations, both exterior and interior,” he said.
Ukrainian-French actress Olga Kurylenko echoed these sentiments, describing the landscapes as “mesmerising” and praising the kindness of the local people. “I don’t lie so I wouldn’t even mention this if it wasn’t true, but truly, the kindness of people around and on set was one that I rarely see and experience. I’m very grateful to have worked in such wonderful conditions.”
Davidson and Warbeck hope that local audiences will take pride in seeing Donegal showcased on screen and that international viewers will be captivated by its beauty and spirit. “We hope they take away a sense of the wild beauty of the north west of Ireland and we very much hope that the film gives them a glimpse of the warmth of the people and the music.”