New documentary follows Bailieborough punk rock band

Once We Were Punks, a new documentary by director Frank Shouldice, makes its world premiere at Galway Film Fléadh on Wednesday, July 9.

The film follows the fortunes of a punk rock band from Bailieborough and sold out instantly, with every ticket snapped up within forty minutes of the box office opening for business.

The four-piece, led by Justin Kelly and David Meagher, now line out as Sons of Southern Ulster but the documentary, produced by Igloo Films, traces their origins as The Panic Merchants in the late 1980’s.

“We are delighted to see this level of interest,” said Shouldice when told the premiere sold out so quickly. “It’s just the start we wanted.”

This new release marks a return to Cavan for the filmmaker who previously directed the multi-award winning 'The Man Who Wanted To Fly.'

“Once We Were Punks is obviously a very different film," he said, adding that "it does touch on similar themes like dreams, ambitions, memory and nostalgia. We can’t wait to see how it connects with audiences.”