Church’s role in Jordan film ruffles flock’s feathers

A PARISH church in Kilkenny is to be used in Neil Jordan’s new film about a man born from an affair between a parish priest and his housekeeper.

Clergy in the sprawling parish were meeting with their flock and representatives from the film company last night to attempt to allay fears some have about the use of the parish church in the controversial film.

The Diocese of Ossory has already given permission to the Oscar-winning director to use the Church of the Immaculate Conception in the Kilkenny town of Callan.

However, some parishioners are unhappy with the move.

‘Breakfast on Pluto’ is based on a Patrick McCabe novel. Its lead character is born out of result of an illicit affair by a parish priest and his housekeeper in the fictional town of Tyrellin. Patrick “Kitten” Brady, played by Cillian Murphy, leaves rural Ireland of the mid-1970s and reappears some time later in London as a transvestite cabaret singer.

“These are great times for Callan but some of our parishioners have concerns about the use of the church in this film,” local curate, Fr Willie Purcell, said.

“We looked very carefully at the contract issued by the film company, as did the Diocesan office. We are very happy with it.

“We are quite assured that the church will be respected in the way it is to be used. And we are looking forward to seeing it and scenes from the parish on the big screen.

“The filming will take three weeks, beginning in early September. And we have been given every assurance that services will be in no way interrupted throughout filming. We’re very reassured and very happy with the reassurances we have from everyone involved in this film,” Fr Purcell said.

Those opposed to the filming in the church say they don’t want their church associated with the story line.

Set designers have already begun building a replica presbytery, attached to the church, in advance of the film. The convent chapel in the town, owned by the Sisters of Mercy, will also be used.

Dermot Cleary of Parallel Productions, Dublin is coordinating matters at local level in advance of the arrival of around 100 people to the town.

Shooting of Breakfast on Pluto begins on September 6.