Farrell and Norton to open west Cork events
A-list actor Colin Farrell is to open the annual Queen of the Sea festival in Castletownbere while comic Graham Norton opens an art exhibition in Ballydehob.
Farrell is on location in the Beara peninsula fishing village, filming Ondine — the story of a mermaid who gets caught in a fishing net.
Norton, who spent his early life in Bandon, Co Cork, waives any appearance fee for the fundraising event on the Mizen peninsula by the Carbery Art Group.
Farrell, meanwhile, has caused a major stir in the port town since he arrived for the film directed by Neil Jordan, who has a shoreline home in Castletownbere.
Jordan, who has directed The Crying Game and Mona Lisa, has also confirmed that he will attend the official opening.
Beara-based mayor of Cork, Councillor Noel Harrington said it was a great honour for his hometown to get the duo to the open festivities.
“I haven’t met Colin Farrell yet but I’ve seen him around the town and I’m looking forward to speaking with him this Friday,” Mr Harrington said.
He said the presence of Farrell, who has starred in blockbusters such as Alexander the Great, Miami Vice and Tigerland, and Jordan, along with the film crew had injected a lot of money into the local economy.
Graham Norton, 45, whose real name is Graham Walker, was born in Dublin but raised in Bandon.
The former waiter turned stand-up comic shot to fame with his own TV show on Channel 4 after his unforgettable portrayal as the hyper Father Noel Furlong in Father Ted. The multi- Bafta winning star has since moved to the BBC and co-owns SO Television which produces his shows.
He has hosted prime-time BBC shows like How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? with Andrew Lloyd Webber.
He has also cracked America with his chat show, the Graham Norton Show.
Carbery Art Group spokesperson Angela Barrett said they used “personal contacts” to invite him to open their exhibition.
“We were absolutely delighted when he agreed. He has been a perfect gentleman,” she said.
It is understood Norton, who owns a luxury holiday home on the Sheep’s Head peninsula is spending the month of August there.
He will also be presented with a painting tomorrow evening.
The Carbery Art Group was founded four years ago and has 12 members. Tomorrow’s exhibition features over 200 paintings in various media, by both local amateur and professional artists.
The exhibition runs until next Tuesday and entry is free.
All donations will go to CoAction — the West Cork charity which provides services and supports to adults and children with intellectual disabilities.
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