Actors take on the roles of the North Longford Flying Column in the new film Clonfin.

Clonfin ambush documentary to premiere in Granard next week

A new documentary film which aims to "shine a light" on the Clonfin ambush of 1921, will have its premiere in Granard next week.

The award winning Longford film company Harp Media are behind the documentary which charts the attack carried out by the IRA on February 2 1921, during the Irish War of Independence.

Led by Seán Mac Eoin, the volunteers ambushed two lorries carrying members of the British Auxiliary Division, sparking a lengthy gun battle in which four Auxiliaries were killed and eight wounded. The Auxiliaries eventually surrendered and their weapons were seized. The ambush led to reprisals by the British forces who killed a farmer and burned properties in the townland between Ballinalee and Granard.

The story of the documentary film is told through a combination of interviews with historians and relatives of participants of the ambush, archival footage, and dramatic reconstructions.

The historical advisor to the project was Queen’s University Belfast Professor Marie Coleman, an expert on County Longford in the revolutionary period. University College Dublin Professor Diarmaid Ferriter and Irish Humanities Alliance Director Dr Mel Farrell were also contributors to the project.

“We were honoured to be asked to be involved in this project by Longford County Library, Heritage and Archive Services. Longford has a rich and fascinating history," said Harp Media co-founder Patrick McGivney. "We are glad to bring the story of the North Longford Flying Column and the Clonfin ambush to as wide an audience as possible.”

Fellow Harp Media co-founder Robert Higgins explained the company’s hope for the film: “Our hope is that this documentary will shine a light on our local history and will encourage younger generations to explore the rich history of our county. We’d like to extend a thank you to all of the local people who gave their time and helped to make this project a reality."

A Decade of Centenaries project, Clonfin was commissioned by Longford County Council’s Longford County Library, Heritage and Archives Services. It was produced by Longford film production company, Harp Media.

Set to open the screening, Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Peggy Nolan said, “This film will bring the story of Clonfin and this part of our shared history to a new audience. It is wonderful that this film was made by Harp Media, a company created by two up-and-coming and award-winning filmmakers who are County Longford natives. Much thanks also goes to all project contributors, most especially the relatives of those involved in the Clonfin ambush.”

Clonfin, a documentary about the ambush of 1921, premieres at the Granard Community Library on Tuesday, April 26 at 7pm. All are welcome to attend, with no prior booking necessary.