Published: Wednesday, 27th January, 2010 5:00pm

Cootehill man recalls the golden age of cinema

by Sinead Hogan

Visually impaired Hugh O'Brien hard at work on his history of Cootehill using his specially adapted computer.
Pic by==: 97

"In 1895, in Lyon in France, the Lumiere brothers, Auguste and Louis, developed cinematography or moving pictures. By 1906 this wonder of modern technology had reached Ireland... Could the brothers have imagined the impact that their invention would have on the world and its people as it whirred its way into every society; even to such far flung places as Cootehill, Co. Cavan?"

This is how Hugh B. O'Brien opens his newly published booklet called The History Of The Cinema In Cootehill, the proceeds from the sale of which are being donated to the Drumlin House training centre.

A native of Cootehill, retired from his teaching career in St. Aidan's Comprehensive School, Hugh has already written similar books about the GAA and Roman Catholic churches. With his fascination with local history as well as passion for cinema, putting the story of the silver screen on record within a local context was a labour of love for Hugh.

Clearly written and sprinkled with humour, the book brings to life a time that is still in living memory, although it may well smack of dinosaurs to today's i-podded, mobile phoned out, twittery teenagers.

The History Of The Cinema In Cootehill recalls the early days of cinema, travelling shows, cine-variety shows, the fire hazard associated with early screenings and lots more memories. International references and local people's anecdotes are interwoven and the book is nostalgic, informative and entertaining.

The origin of the term 'going to the flicks' is explained ("the manually operated projector was unsteady and the film kept flicking up and down"), and the author recalls great audience participation in the early days of cinema ("when the good guy was in trouble there were wholesale shouts of advice for him to 'look out'. People genuinely thought that the actors could hear them...").

Hugh also tells of how they used to show films in the old town hall in Cootehill. The town hall, built in the 1820s was demolished in the early 1960s because it was in disrepair, money was scarce and little was thought of this manifestation of heritage because it was associated with colonialism, says the author.

"It was seen as progress," he says, pointing out that this treasure won't even live in memory for much longer: "People of 50 years of age have asked me where the town hall was."

He recalls the golden age of cinema and how important the silver screen was when it first made its appearance in cities and towns around the world.

"The 1950s were one of the worst decades economically, but Cootehill had two cinemas. It was the perfect escapism from the reality of hard times."

The book succeeds in bringing history to life, as Hugh doesn't underestimate the importance of personal experience over a generic story.

"I feel there's a lot of history involving people rather than buildings," says Hugh. "It's about people, the great diasporo that Mary Robinson talked about when she became President of Ireland."

He also seeks to capture real people's real experiences, before it is too late.

"I'm lucky enough that ten years ago I interviewed people who were in their nineties then. I have it all on tape."

Because of a visual impairment Hugh acquired in recent years, the last time he could properly indulge his love of cinema was when he saw As Good As It Gets, but he's not one to wallow in self-pity.

"People are terrific," he says. "My IT teacher, Roisin Mulligan in Dundalk, is amazing and I'd like to compliment the National Council for the Blind of Ireland and the libraries."

Hugh has taught himself to touch-type and uses a computer adapted to his needs with Jaws software, which reads text to him. He's still infectiously enthusiastic about film, but has discovered a new appreciation of all descriptions of music from Leonard Cohen to Mozart.

The booklet was designed and produced by Drumlin House Print Shop and Hugh is donating all proceeds from its sale to the training centre for people with intellectual disability.

"I'm chairman of Drumlin House and this is the year we are going to send 14 of our athletes to the Special Olympics in Limerick," he says, explaining that it's a great opportunity for the athletes, but costly. "We need money, because like every other institution we had cutbacks." The booklet thus "serves a double purpose", telling an intriguing story, which it won't be possible to hear first-hand for much longer, as well as making an investment in the future generation.

• The History Of The Cinema In Cootehill is available in local shops with all proceeds to Drumlin House training centre for people with intellectual disability.

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