Film
The Quiet Man Festival
24, Aug 2011 - 09:17

Sixty years after the making of the film, Hollywood star Maureen O'Hara returns to Cong, Co Mayo, for the inaugural Quite Man Festival. The red-haired beauty, famous for her portrayal of Mary Kate Danagher, will officially open the inaugural Quiet Man Festival in Cong on the 25th August.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the filming of the 'Quiet Man' in which Maureen O'Hara  starred alongside , John Wayne. Ashford Castle will host Maureen
O'Hara during her visit to Cong.

Various events will take place in many premises in and around Cong during the four days of the festival - and everyone is welcome to enjoy the festivities:

On Thursday, Maureen O'Hara arrives by chauffeur at Lisloughrey pier, Cong, and boards the 'Isle of Inishfree' ferry to embark on a cruise to Ashford Castle. Formal welcome at Ashford Castle pier by management and staff. Bagpiper to lead procession into Ashford Castle.

On Friday, there will be music and a BBQ in Cong village at 17.00. The official opening of the festival will take place at 19.00 at Ashford Castle, with cutting of the ribbon by Maureen O'Hara, with speeches, tributes, and a short speech by Maureen O'Hara.

On Saturday at 13.30, the Quiet Man Tour Guide and his wife Margaret, will accompany Maureen O'Hara by Limousine on a reminiscing tour of some of the film locations beginning at Ashford Castle and farmyard, Protestant Church, Quiet Man museum, Lydons Lodge, Ryan's Hotel, Pat Cohan's Bar and Danaghers. Re-enactments of Quiet Man scenes by local teenagers. Presentations to Maureen O'Hara.
From 16.00-22.00, there will be a céilí at the crossroads with Matt Cunningham/music and BBQ.

On Sunday, there will be blessing of the Cross in Cong village at 13.30.
At 15.00, screening of "Dreaming the Quiet Man", West of Ireland premier at The Lodge at Ashford, followed by a talk by Philip Lane, composer, arranger, orchestrator and record producer who reconstituted the musical score of 'The Quiet Man' in 1995 for use by the Dublin Screen Orchestra.
From 16.00-18.00, there will be a music session with local musicians followed by farewell to Maureen O'Hara who will leave in a vintage car driven by Jimmy Clarke. Further music will follow until 20.00.