Jordan scouts locations for latest vampire movie

OSCAR-WINNING writer and director, Neil Jordan, scouted locations in West Cork yesterday for his new vampire movie.

The 61-year-old who directed the 1994 Interview with a Vampire starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, and who shot Ondine in Beara two years ago with Colin Farrell, flew by helicopter into scenic Eyeries, ahead of shooting on his new movie €8.1 million Byzantium due to begin in October.

He then headed off on the Irish Lights chopper for a fly-past of the rugged Skelligs islands.

It has fuelled hopes in West Cork of another economic boost thanks to a Jordan movie.

Jason O’Mahony, of the Cork Screen Commission (CSC), stressed that it is still “very early” in the pre-production process.

“But obviously if it happens, it would be an amazing thing for Cork,” he said.

“I wrote one film specifically about the Beara Peninsula; Ondine. But Cork provides much more than just natural beauty.

Jordan has cast Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Arterton and Caleb Landry Jones, in Byzantium’s lead roles.

Saoirse, who had never played piano, stunned tutors by learning Beethoven’s ‘Piano Sonata Opus 2, No 3’ for the movie.

Piano tutor Yvonne Collier from Bunclody, Co Wexford, said:

“I have never seen anything like it before. It was very easy from the first lesson by how intellectual and hardworking Saoirse is. It was a breeze to teach her.”