How the film Ryan's Daughter helped rescue the town of Dingle

Bad weather and Robert Mitchum’s hash-spiked food contributed to the torrid time David Lean had in making the 1970 film but it did help to revive the Kerry town, writes Marjorie Brennan

Sarah Miles and Robert Mitchum on Inch Beach in Ryan's Daughter. 

Dingle in Kerry is one of Ireland’s most famous towns, a bustling tourist trap nestled picturesquely between the mountains and the sea and which is still, in the summer of the staycation, attracting hordes of visitors. 

Its numerous festivals, hostelries and restaurants make it a busy hub all year round, but it could all have been so different if it wasn’t for man’s — or in this case, woman’s — best friend.