New Dawn for Kerry tourism

Locations in Killarney where the first full-length “talkie” film in Ireland was made in the mid-1930s have been mapped out in a tourist trail.

Made by the late Thomas G Cooper with an all-amateur cast and production team, The Dawn was hailed as a notable cinematic achievement of its time.

Based on the War of Independence, it was also a story of love, mistrust, divided loyalties, and family tragedy. Shot entirely in and around the Kerry town, the film was also intended to promote tourism in the area, using its outstanding natural beauty as a backdrop.

The Dawn Film Trail includes a walking tour around the main sites in Killarney town used in the making of the film, or connected with Mr Cooper, who was also a leading hotelier and cinema owner.

There is also a driving tour that incorporates locations used in the general Killarney area.

Three of Mr Cooper’s grandchildren, Katherine Cronin, Michelle Cooper-Galvin and Tommy Cooper, along with grandniece Senator Susan O’Keeffe, attended the launch of the trail by Arts and Heritage Minister Jimmy Deenihan.

Ms Cooper-Galvin yesterday thanked the South Kerry Development Partnership for under- taking the Fáilte Ireland- supported project.

Only four reels of the film exist. A re-mastering project is underway by the Irish Film Institute.

“We’re delighted to see interest continuing in The Dawn and the plan now is to produce a new film copy which will last for another 100 years,” said Ms Cooper-Galvin.

The Cooper family recently found the original script and glass plate images taken by Mr Cooper while working on the film.

The family has also come upon an old school copybook containing instructions by Mr Cooper on camera positioning for shooting some scenes, as well as mathematical calculations of the amount of film required.

Killarney attracted movie-makers prior to The Dawn with an American company, Kalem, making several silent productions in the Beaufort area between 1911 and 1914. The Kalem Film Trail was launched in Beaufort last year.