Documentary on Cavan indie band set for screening

A celebrated documentary film charting the stop-start trajectory of one of Cavan's most accomplished indie rock bands is set to screen in Cavan Odeon this week.

Once We Were Punks follows the curious career of The Sons of Southern Ulster. The four school pals Justin Kelly (vocals) David Meagher (guitar), Paddy Glackin (bass) and Noel Larkin (drums), came together in 1980s Bailieborough and set their sights on world domination. The big breakthrough never comes, so careers, adulthood, and emigration intervene. But when they reunite at a funeral 25 years later, they pick up where they left off, and to critical acclaim.

Once We Were Punks was directed by Frank Shouldice, who previously enjoyed success with his documentary The Man Who Wanted to Fly, which coincidentally focussed on other Bailieborough heroes, the Coote brothers, Bobby and Ernie.

The film will further help to raise the profile of the much loved band, as it is set for cinema screenings in Castlebar and Galway also this week, and the IFI in Dublin and QFT in Belfast the following week.

Catch Once We Were Punks at the Odeon Cavan on Tuesday evening and a matinee on Wednesday.