'Quiet Man' festival looking for a Michaeleen match

A Quiet Man festival is launching an X Factor-style search for Ireland’s bestMichaeleen Flynn lookalike.

The annual Quiet Man Gathering in Cong, Co Mayo, where the movie was filmed, has already found doubles for Wayne and O’Hara but is now seeking a stand-in for Fitzgerald’s character.

“It was Michaeleen who put the two together in the film and we want him to be there for the unveiling of a new statue to Wayne and O’Hara,” said festival organiser Paddy Rock.

“We’re looking to bring the trio back together again for the weekend.”

The festival runs from Oct 4-6, and organisers will hold auditions over the coming weeks.

“Michaeleen will be meeting and greeting the people who come to the Cong,” said Rock.

“He will be an ambassador for the festival. He needs to have a good turn of wit, be able to adapt himself easily to new surroundings and he will have to have knowledge of the film.”

The stand-in is likely to be aged between 55 to 65, be a “local village character”, and have a good physical likeness to Michaeleen.

Organisers said the lookalike will enjoy three days in Cong with all expenses paid.

“He’ll be famous for those three days anyway, and after that who knows what will happen,” said Rock.

The festival, in its third year, will unveil a specially commissioned full-size bronze statue of Wayne and O’Hara, capturing the famous characters Sean Thornton and Mary Kate Danaher.

The weekend will feature set dancing classes, a céilí or two, and tours of key locations in the film.

There will also be a screening of the documentary John Ford: Dreaming The Quiet Man.