ENNISCORTHY is abuzz with excitement after it was officially confirmed that the multi-million movie adaptation of local writer Colm Tóibín’s novel Brooklyn will be filmed in the town.
Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan and Domhnaill Gleeson, who was spotted in Monart Spa last week, are among the 70-strong cast and crew that will be in town when the cameras start to roll on March 31.
Church Street, Castle Street, the old Bank of Ireland and the Athenaeum building are confirmed locations for the upcoming scenes, as well as Curracloe beach in Wexford.
These areas will have to go under somewhat of a makeover for the filming to correspond with its 1950’s setting.
To prepare the town for on location shots, some buildings and streets will be given a cosmetic facelift.
Parnell Avenue native Mr. Tóibín’s celebrated novel, which is being adapted by Wildgaze Films, tells the story of Nora (Ronan), a young Irish woman who leaves her home in Enniscorthy hoping for a brighter future in Brooklyn.
Despite her initial homesickness, she falls in love with Tony (Emory Cohen) an Italian-American who opens her eyes her new surroundings. But a family tragedy leads Nora back to Ireland, where her American sophistication catches the eye of the charming Jim (Gleeson).
Irish BAFTA-winning director John Crowley will direct Nick Hornby’s adaptation of the popular novel, which is being produced by Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey for Wildgaze and co–produced by Alan Moloney in Parallel Films.
The movie will also star renowned actors Julie Walters and Jim Broadbent, although it is unknown as of yet if they will make an appearance in Enniscorthy.
Half of the film will be filmed in Ireland, beginning in Enniscorthy and Wexford for a week before moving on to Dublin, while the remainder will be shot in Canada.
And locals in the town will not only be able to view the well-known story coming to life from vantage points– they can also take part themselves as up to 70 extras will be cast for a dance hall and wedding scene.
It is the first time for a film crew to come to Enniscorthy since WW2 movie ‘Underground’ in 1969.
