Town opens new era for The Dawn

A MAN before his time, who made the first full-length, all-Irish film in Killarney, Co Kerry, almost 70 years ago, will be honoured this weekend.

The late Thomas G Cooper was yesterday remembered by his son, John C, as a person of many parts, who made his mark on Irish cinematic history with The Dawn, based on the activities of an IRA flying column during the War of Independence.

The film never actually had a premiere, but there will be a black tie, charity premiere, as part of Killarney 250 celebrations, tomorrow night. “The Dawn was only one part of his life. While not wishing to be boastful, he did many other things as well and was remarkable in everything he did,” said Mr Cooper, who was just six when the movie was completed in 1936.

“I don’t remember that much about it at the time, but there was certainly a lot of excitement. However, I’ve a very clear memory of going to a trade show in the Capital Cinema, Dublin, where it was screened,” he said.

“The film was a huge success, packing cinemas all over the country and it was also well received in America.”

Cooper, already the owner of a cinema in Killarney, and his wife, Maria, travelled to London to buy a camera in 1934 or 1935. He is reputed to have paid £600 for it, a sum that would have purchased a farm of land at the time.

The film was shot around Killarney with an all-amateur cast and crew. About 250 people were involved.

An old brewery building became an improvised studio and much of the filming was done at night so as not to put too heavy a strain on the town’s limited electricity supply.

“He had the foresight and the imagination and my mother was a real driving force. She said very little, but he listened very carefully to what she did say,” remarked Mr Cooper, who has been in the cinema business for most of his life.

The Killarney Film Summer School will run from June 11 to June 13.