Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

An Cailín Ciúin

Behind the scenes of how they filmed the 'gentle, economical' An Cailín Ciúin

Cinematographer Kate McCullough gives us an insight into the making of the Oscar-nominated film.

Aoife Barry reports from LA.

WHEN TAKING A book from page to screen, there is a huge amount to consider. How do you retain the spirit, tone and feel of a novel and translate it visually, without losing the author’s fingerprints – while letting the filmmakers put their own prints on it?

For the team behind An Cailín Ciúin, there must have been many complicated considerations when they took Claire Keegan’s delicate 2010 novella and turned it into feature film. We know now that all of their decisions combined to create something special – a deeply emotional film that was nominated for an Oscar at the 2023 Academy Awards.

But director Colm Bairéad made one major change to the narrative: he made the film in the Irish language rather than English. That came partly for personal reasons, as he grew up speaking Irish, and it added a special layer to an already special story. It meant, too, that An Cailín Ciúin became the first Irish-language film ever nominated for an Oscar. That in turn became a huge moment for Ireland.

The decision also meant that An Cailín Ciúin could be made under the Cine4 scheme, which involved combined funding from TG4, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) and Screen Ireland for an Irish-language film.

With a budget far smaller than that of its fellow Irish Oscar nominee, Banshees of Inisherin, An Cailín Ciúin became a landmark moment in Irish cinema. The hopes now are that we will see budgets increase for such films, and that the current wave of Irish-language cinema will continue to blossom. 

But back to the making of An Cailín Ciúin. There are many team members who collaborate on a film. Among them is the cinematographer (or director of photography, the DP), who is the person behind the camera. They have to make, often in collaboration with the director and other team members, decisions like what lenses to use; how to frame certain shots; how characters should be positioned within the frame; the ratio to film in. 

For the everyday viewer, these decisions should be, in one sense, seamless – we’re not all going to be sitting there thinking about why a certain thing looks a certain way (a hat tip to the cinema nerds who live for this sort of stuff, though). And yet we’ve all left a cinema or finished watching a film and felt the power of those decisions and how they highlighted other decisions made on set.

We’ve marvelled at the bright colours in Pedro Almodóvar’s films and how appealing they are in close-up; we’ve enjoyed the way a (sort-of) one-shot film like 1917 takes us on a visual journey; we’ve felt the power of the decision to shoot Terence Malick’s film Days of Heaven during golden hour, and how that meant certain scenes held a certain power.

These might not be things we’re actively thinking, and yet that’s part of what it is to watch a film: to enjoy visual storytelling that is the result of a multitude of intricate decisions. 

Kate McCullough was the Director of Photography on An Cailín Ciúin. From a dairy farm in Gormanston in Co Meath, she studied at the Lodz Film School in Poland and has been behind the camera for films like His and Hers (Ken Wardop), Songs For While I’m Away, The Farthest (both Emer Reynolds), and Famine film Arracht (Tom Sullivan). 

She was also the DP for director Hettie McDonald’s episodes of Normal People. 

We spoke to McCullough about how they approached the cinematography for An Cailín Ciúin, and her thoughts on what the Oscar nomination means for Ireland. 

McCullough herself grew up on a farm not too far from where they filmed, “so it was in a sense a sort of homecoming for me to make this film”, she tells The Journal. The film was set in Co Waterford, but filmed in Co Meath.

‘She was to be centre frame’

PastedImage-15801 Kate McCullough attending the 35th European Film Awards 2022 at Harpa Conference and Concert Hall last December in Reykjavik Alamy Alamy

Work began on the film just after the first Covid lockdown. “We had that lovely hot summer. So we sat out in the garden having long lunches discussing the deceptively simple precision of Claire Keegan’s prose,” recalled McCullough.

Indeed, Keegan’s gift as a writer is to convey emotion without using complicated or lyrical language. Instead, her work is stripped back to the essentials, revealing the narrative in a way that means the emotions within it are deeply felt by the reader. That’s not to say she uses simplistic language, or that her stories are simple, but that she gets to the heart of her story’s emotion in a true and precise way, and this is what the reader connects with.

This approach was something McCullough and the director Bairéad spent time discussing. “We wanted to reflect that in the screen language of the film. The cinematography should be economical, unadorned and almost naive in its sensibility,” explained McCullough. 

As part of the initial work, they tested the narrow aspect ratio of 1:1.37 “and immediately felt confident that it was the right canvas to explore the world of the young Cáit [played by first-time actor Catherine Clinch]“.

Cáit is the main character in Foster, a nine-year-old girl from a poor and troubled background who is sent to live with distant relations one summer. The novella and film follow her experience and so it was important to understand how she would appear on the screen. Each element of what appeared around her would add to the understanding of her viewpoint.

The audience would be following her and watching her interactions with the world, and so how she was framed would be crucial.

She was to be centre frame, we would bring the camera to her height – and yet there was still a world outside the frame that she did not understand.

Both McCullough and Bairéad come from a documentary background and so their “sensibilities align in terms of a strong nose for authenticity”, the DP explained. “If anything felt out of place with this world it would be removed from the frame.”

‘Such a gentle film’

The way the film approaches the character of Cáit and her experiences has really touched viewers – but the skill behind it has also been recognised by those within the industry. McCullough told us that while attending the American Society of Cinematographers Awards in Hollywood recently, “industry professionals were continually coming up to say much they loved this film”.

“And then in the café when we were having breakfast, a Latino kid came over to express how touched he was by the film.”

She says she is “particularly humbled that such a gentle film can capture the hearts of so many around the world”. But its success as an Irish language film also has huge meaning for her on a personal level. 

“I’ve recently been thinking about my Gran, Una Scanlon, whose first and only language was Irish – until she was sent to school in 1922 and told to stand in the corner until she spoke only English,” she said. “How proud she would be right now to see our native tongue up in lights.”

“There a phrase I came across recently that I love: ‘Chuirfeadh sé na smóilíní ag sclimpireacht i do chroí’ which translates as “it would set the baby thrushes dancing in your heart’.

“How wonderful it is that The Quiet Girl is bringing the Irish language to such a huge international platform like the Oscars.”

Budgets and breakthroughs

While it’s great to see lower-budget Irish films like An Cailín Ciúin doing so well internationally, this can lead to questions about whether there’s an expectation on filmmakers to do ‘less with more’.

When asked if this is a concern for her, McCullough said:

“Low budget filmmaking has a place in the industry for new voices/those who are breaking through, and so it does have a value within that context. However, it’s fair to say that as crew members we all made sacrifices to allow this film to be made.

“It was, in a sense, a passion project for all of us. That is definitely not sustainable on a regular basis. For example there was no contingency with this level of budget. At any given moment if one of the cast were to contract COVID that would have been curtains, as the production just wouldn’t have afforded paying everyone to sit and wait the 10 days. It’s just not viable. We were super lucky that we didn’t end up in a situation like this.”

She added that if the weather had forced the shoot to shut down for a day, or if one department had had a substantial technical issue on set, they “would have lost lots of critical scenes”.

“Again, luck was with us, but you just can’t rely on this to carry you through on every production,” said McCullough. 

‘There are still very few female cinematographers’

An Cailín Ciúin 2 Cáit's father in the film, played by Michael Patric.

While the film was beaten by the German film All Quiet On The Western Front at the Oscars, the Irish nomination has been treated as a win by all involved since the very beginning.

All this week in LA, Irish film industry members have been telling The Journal how proud they are that the film got so far, and that the nomination has huge meaning for the filmmakers and Ireland.

There’s massive significance in An Cailín Ciúin being an Irish language film nominated at such prestigious film awards. In turn, its specific approach to telling the story the way it did could inspire other filmmakers in how they depict such stories. That all goes back to the decisions made early on by Bairéad, McCullough, his producer Cleona Ní Chrúalaoi and the wider filmmaking team.

“I like the idea that such a gentle, unassuming film can resonate with such a powerful message,” said McCullough. “I hope it will give confidence to creators that the approach to filmmaking doesn’t necessarily need to be loud and brash, but rather [that] through a gentle authentic rendering of a story, audiences will universally respond.”

McCullough’s career has been on an upward trajectory in recent years, and her work on An Cailín Ciúin has seen her rise to another level of success. This is notable as she’s an Irish DP, but also because she is a woman in a chiefly male-dominated industry. By being a female Irish cinematography awarded for her work, she’s helping to inspire other young women to realise a career behind the camera could be for them. 

“For my work on The Quiet Girl I was was nominated for a Spotlight award at the 37th American Society of Cinematography Awards. It’s worth noting there were 7 ASC categories, 32 nominees, and just four female nominees,” she pointed out. 

“Mandy Walker [DP for Elvis] smashed through the glass ceiling at the American Society of Cinematography Awards, the first woman to win Best Cinematography in a theatrical feature film. That was pretty special, to be there in the room when they announced. There was a huge roar of appreciation.”

Only three women have ever been nominated in the Best Cinematography category at the Oscars. Walker was nominated this year, but the film also lost out to All Quiet On The Western Front – its cinematographer James Friend picked up the award. 

As for her own career, McCullough says that both the Spotlight nomination and the Oscar nomination have “given me a confidence to continue to make brave decisions creatively”.

“And of course many industry people are seeing this film beyond my usual sphere, so it all helps raise the profile of my work. So it is broadening the conversation work-wise and hopefully creates new exciting possibilities of collaboration.”

Regarding the opportunities out there for cinematographers in Ireland, McCullough said there’s been a “huge increase” in the production of TV drama in Ireland since the pandemic. But the gender balance remains off.

“There’s just more demand for VOD entertainment. That definitely gives more opportunity for cinematographers breaking through while maintaining consistent work for more established cinematographers,” she explained.

“There are still very few female cinematographers working in the industry. This needs to change. They need to be supported through this transition.”

On the Irish performance at the Academy Awards, McCullough said it is “phenomenal really that such a wealth of homegrown talent is represented at this year’s Oscars. Let alone that it’s the first year we have a film in our native tongue nominated in the Best International Film category.”

But she added: “I would say we are in a very good place. But we need to keep nourishing talent coming through, new voices and more diversity.”

McCullough’s next project is also a film adaptation of a novel, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, starring Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton, and based on Rachel Joyce’s 2012 book.

Looking to the future, she hopes that the performance of An Cailín Ciúin “gives a real boost to encourage more people to make films in Irish and that the budgets are increased to allow filmmakers be more ambitious”.

I also hope, for the nation, that it will help people to reflect on their relationship with the Irish language. It is complicated topic.

“For example, I learned Irish for 12 years but never really saw it as a working language, so once I left school I was no longer using it,” she explained. “Now my Irish is quite poor and I’m embarrassed that I can’t speak it at times like these.”

She has been thinking about taking a course in Irish, ”something I hadn’t considered before shooting An Cailín Ciúin”.

Proof that the ripple effect of the film’s success is being felt in many small and large ways. 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
4 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute did you every wonder
    Favourite did you every wonder
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 2:44 PM

    Yep, it’s a bit like having a temp tax since 2008. Embarrassing and costly to the Irish worker.

    636
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Basildon Joe
    Favourite Basildon Joe
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:38 PM

    @did you every wonder: exactly my filthy city friend..I hate this usc, what a scam it is.

    167
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr Inbetween
    Favourite Mr Inbetween
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:08 PM

    @did you every wonder: Indeed, the last three/ four governments in Ireland have consecutively and collectively been terrible. Time for change.

    209
    See 12 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Fox
    Favourite Mark Fox
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:23 PM

    @Mr Inbetween: and who would that be?

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr Inbetween
    Favourite Mr Inbetween
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:34 PM

    @Mark Fox: A functional government unlike the current crop and their predecessors, not FFG who need to spend a term or two in opposition.

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick MC Dermott
    Favourite Patrick MC Dermott
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:52 PM

    @did you every wonder: “Lessons must be and will be learned” That song; ” Until the next time” Our Govt officials are very slow learners.

    80
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr Inbetween
    Favourite Mr Inbetween
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 5:00 PM

    @Patrick MC Dermott: We need a computer whizz-kid to devise an algorithm on running a country, then we can wave bye bye to politicians!

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute damien leen
    Favourite damien leen
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 6:08 PM

    @did you every wonder: Hey but they’re gonna reduce the USC charge next budget…that’s good of them isn’t it…what nice people they are…FFS..When are people goin to wake up…We elect them…we pay them…Just saying.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute damien leen
    Favourite damien leen
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 6:10 PM

    @Mark Fox: ah…so let’s just stick with the crap we have cause you have some cooked up notions about the opposition parties!

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute den
    Favourite den
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 7:05 PM

    @Patrick MC Dermott: it’s unreal that they already said ” lessons will be learned “. Some fooking joke!!
    There will be an investigation into this, costing the money that they are getting back and that will be the result, “lessons will be learned “.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ali123
    Favourite Ali123
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 7:43 PM

    @Patrick MC Dermott: same with RTE

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Heffernan
    Favourite Frank Heffernan
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 8:14 PM

    @did you every wonder: are you living or from Manchester?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Moylan
    Favourite John Moylan
    Report
    Sep 19th 2024, 8:21 AM

    @Mr Inbetween: the last three/four governments are in the main the same parties as the last thirty-four governments so I don’t think you’re going to find ‘change’ any time soon…………..

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nick Vasilakis
    Favourite Nick Vasilakis
    Report
    Sep 19th 2024, 9:56 AM

    @Mr Inbetween: And where will you find that?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr Inbetween
    Favourite Mr Inbetween
    Report
    Sep 19th 2024, 2:14 PM

    @John Moylan: Spot on

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eddie Garvey
    Favourite Eddie Garvey
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 2:45 PM

    Who signed it off?

    429
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Hazzard
    Favourite Pat Hazzard
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 2:49 PM

    @Eddie Garvey: OPW

    90
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darth O'Leary
    Favourite Darth O'Leary
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 2:53 PM

    Ultimate responsibility lies with minister for finance imo

    285
    See 9 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eddie Garvey
    Favourite Eddie Garvey
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:08 PM

    @Pat Hazzard: who in opw?

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Hazzard
    Favourite Pat Hazzard
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:32 PM

    @Eddie Garvey: Office of Public Works

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute stu nolan
    Favourite stu nolan
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:35 PM

    @Darth O’Leary: No, it doesn’t. the MoF doesn’t deal with spending, that’s the Minister for Public Expenditure. And even then, a project of this size would be entirely managed and signed off within the OPW. It is the OPW that set the tender guidelines, the OPW that reviewed the submissions, the OPW that decided to award a contract of that ridiculous value, and the OPW that should justify why a project like this cost so much (and delivered so little).

    119
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darth O'Leary
    Favourite Darth O'Leary
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:35 PM

    @stu nolan: Correct. Public expenditure. Senior moment at 41

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr “JonnieBoy” Johnson
    Favourite Mr “JonnieBoy” Johnson
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:55 PM

    @Pat Hazzard: No it was OGP

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick MC Dermott
    Favourite Patrick MC Dermott
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:55 PM

    @Darth O’Leary: That’s where you’re wrong. It will be laid at the feet of a lowly paid secretary who wasn’t up to speed with job description. He/she will be relocated and we all will move on. Job done.

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darth O'Leary
    Favourite Darth O'Leary
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 5:09 PM

    @Patrick MC Dermott: Sounds about right

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Spanner
    Favourite Spanner
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 6:24 PM

    @Darth O’Leary: minister for public expenditure more like as this was public spending. Finance collects and allocates the money. Either way a lower grade clerical officer will get the flak

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ah Here!
    Favourite Ah Here!
    Report
    Sep 20th 2024, 3:14 PM

    @Pat Hazzard: They have the most corrupt management I have ever come across here in the west.. There are ongoing cases being covered up and all sides in cohoots. Their union and HR are no benefit and everything is covered up with paperwork and technicalities. Nothing will come of this.. The person/people responsible will never be named and punished with a nice cushy work from home post.. while management, HR and Siptu sit in their yellow belly hands and do nothing!! This is only the tip of the iceberg!!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Brennan
    Favourite James Brennan
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 2:51 PM

    Sure going by the very limited reports, good ould pascal’s buddy knee deep in the mire of the bike shelter process. Leave no ‘stone’ unturned here. Pascal should fall on his sword here tbh

    260
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Brennan
    Favourite James Brennan
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 2:58 PM

    @James Brennan: look into the sisk buyout of the company who won the government contract for such works and it will become clearer, going by reported stories. I am not saying it’s underhand at all. But interesting food for thought of it’s true

    126
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean
    Favourite Sean
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 2:51 PM

    I can see a dee forbes type of sick note happening

    283
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darth O'Leary
    Favourite Darth O'Leary
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 2:53 PM

    @Sean: Is Pascal sick?

    81
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute SV3tN8M4
    Favourite SV3tN8M4
    Report
    Sep 19th 2024, 3:47 AM

    @Sean: Must be a lot of them sick, only 45 TD’s in the Dail chamber on the opening day, 45 ! Four showed up late, including the Labour leader & a no show by the Tanaiste. They couldn’t be bothered to listen to the “outrage” of the Ceann Comhairle about the bike shed or the plight of Harvey Sheratt, the boy with Scoliosis. That is how much contempt they have for the people, the majority of them couldn’t be arsed to show up for work.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Murray
    Favourite David Murray
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 2:52 PM

    How about inviting the Minister for the OPW along and ask him a few simple questions

    209
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean
    Favourite Sean
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:04 PM

    @David Murray: both ministers should be questioned in the dail

    152
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willie Marty
    Favourite Willie Marty
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:31 PM

    @David Murray: was that patrick O Donovan at the time -A right slippery sneaky individual.

    65
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute If you're
    Favourite If you're
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 5:34 PM

    @David Murray: Yes, they should act like the CEO of a private company would act if s/he found out that a gross overspend happened in one of their departments. It won’t happen. Permanent, pensionable jobs, no blame, no shame, no accountability. It’s not good enough. It really isn’t. A left leaning administration will definitely not solve it. I think an example should be made of whoever signed off.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TheUnrepresented
    Favourite TheUnrepresented
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:12 PM

    Media – do your job . We don’t need to hear from the ceann Comhairle. We need to hear from the line minister . Pascal donohue – cabinet minister for public expenditure. The clue is in his title. 2 very easy questions. What politician / civil servant approved the spend? What contracting firm did the work and got paid the 320k plus of overall 330k plus bill. Massive public interest in these questions but media in pockets of the cabinet as usual .

    176
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willie Marty
    Favourite Willie Marty
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:32 PM

    @TheUnrepresented: POD.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ian
    Favourite ian
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:25 PM

    The government dipped in to all or private pensions when the banks needed us to bail them out. Not once but twice. . When are we going to have our hard earned pension back ? I bet this showers pensions weren’t effected.

    175
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James T.Kirk
    Favourite James T.Kirk
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:30 PM

    Paschal could be challenging Dee Forbes for the current title of National Hide n’ Seek champion.

    147
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas Sheridan
    Favourite Thomas Sheridan
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:08 PM

    The profound embarrassment is getting caught. How many more projects (apart from NCH and IBB) are religiously priced.
    Can we see a photo of the Farmleigh €29k bike stand that doesn’t even have a roof.

    141
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute cathal lyons
    Favourite cathal lyons
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:36 PM

    OMG…Lessons will be learned!!!…ah well, that’s ok then

    112
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Will Q
    Favourite Will Q
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 2:55 PM

    He’s 100% right in all he said..but could have added accountability needs to be taken..

    99
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Brennan
    Favourite James Brennan
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:00 PM

    @Will Q: what he sould have said, a criminal investigation is needed , as to explain why one company won a tender (not really) and used at least 3 companies to do the job!!!

    117
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anne
    Favourite Anne
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:40 PM

    It will be interesting what spin will be put on this outrageous waste of public money. Will heads roll. I doubt it.

    105
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Murray
    Favourite David Murray
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 6:36 PM

    @Anne: We the people have the power at the ballot box

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sean callan
    Favourite sean callan
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:22 PM

    Bam. Bam. The job is done, and so is the taxpayer.

    79
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy
    Favourite Paddy
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:35 PM

    Ah here we go again How many more times will we read/be told “lessons must be and will be learned, and there cannot be repeat of such unwarranted and indefensible expenditure of taxpayers’ money”
    Yea right…until the next time!

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karl Phillips
    Favourite Karl Phillips
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:10 PM

    Nothing will happen, then off to the bar to meet the families, and a good laugh at the little people.What a great little country.

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute HisMastersAlibi
    Favourite HisMastersAlibi
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:02 PM

    Now Now,finger wagging, and off to the Dail bar for some guffawing.

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute andy murphy
    Favourite andy murphy
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:39 PM

    Why doesn’t he question the cost of the children’s hospital, almost 5 times original cost

    70
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Oh Mammy
    Favourite Oh Mammy
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:45 PM

    @andy murphy: we could have built a bigger Burj Khalifa, with change…….

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Quinny
    Favourite Quinny
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:45 PM

    We’re a country of spoofers. Nothing will happen, they’ll talk about it and sweep it under the carpet as usual.

    107
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Phillip Smyth
    Favourite Phillip Smyth
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:54 PM

    @Quinny: respect.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute MIchael Costello
    Favourite MIchael Costello
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:55 PM

    I dont know if this job goes out for tender but if so 1)When were tenders for the work advertised.2)How many tenders were received? 3)Who eventually won the tender.4)What was the difference between the lowest and costly tender..

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute eugene mcelhinney
    Favourite eugene mcelhinney
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:21 PM

    Who got the contract ? Did they not put up posters for a certain individual that was public before

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Twamley
    Favourite Keith Twamley
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:31 PM

    This stinks, lessons will not be learned, a full refund should be given. No investigation needed. Just more wasted money.

    92
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Padraic O' Sullivan
    Favourite Padraic O' Sullivan
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 2:56 PM

    OPW legal team unite!

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rob Kerrigan
    Favourite Rob Kerrigan
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 5:19 PM

    No accountability, we have tribunals, RTÉ scandal, investigations by outside auditors and yet these things still happen? Tax payers left footing bill.

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Melanie Keane
    Favourite Melanie Keane
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:38 PM

    Oh look. More lessons to be learned.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy C
    Favourite Paddy C
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 10:16 PM

    @Melanie Keane: to be fair they’re saying they are to be learned doesn’t mean they ever will be though.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Kenny
    Favourite Andrew Kenny
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:55 PM

    Lessons will be learned so nothing to see here!!

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eileen Kelly
    Favourite Eileen Kelly
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:31 PM

    More of the lessons will be learned rubbish, demand a refund on behalf of the tax payer, why they can even have the shelter back, I read another company can do the job for 20,000.

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Phillip Smyth
    Favourite Phillip Smyth
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 2:55 PM

    Only in Ireland Healy Rae craic Andy Capp and jesters.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Martin
    Favourite Brian Martin
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:28 PM

    Wonder will he cycle in?

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute SV3tN8M4
    Favourite SV3tN8M4
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 6:46 PM

    They are only returning to the Dail today, the Ceann Comhairle opening the Dail with a faux outrage about the Bike Shed, with him & all around him responsible. It’s all deflection, every TD in Govt now repeats the news of the day, but it’s a three card trick, to appear as if they are outraged like ordinary people, when in fact they are in charge & responsible, it’s happening on their watch. Sean O Fearghail should resign along with his Govt partners for failure & incompetence, people are tiring of listening to the same auld shite, of outrage & lessons learned.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jb Walshe
    Favourite Jb Walshe
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 6:50 PM

    @SV3tN8M4: well said John

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Kerr
    Favourite Kevin Kerr
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 8:56 PM

    @SV3tN8M4: why the feck should Sean O’Feargail, the Ceann Comhairle, resign?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Oh Mammy
    Favourite Oh Mammy
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:28 PM

    We condemn what we have done. We condemn what we will do in the future which is precisely what we did in the past. We condemn this statement so we will not have to condemn it in the future. Now get back to work.

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute martin finnegan
    Favourite martin finnegan
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:52 PM

    Dont forget to vote them back come election time. Country is a mess. No future here for young people or 40 something s year old s like self.

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Cummins
    Favourite Michael Cummins
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 5:05 PM

    Lessons must be learned. Always with the lessons.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rover
    Favourite Rover
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 5:03 PM

    “Systems failure” “lessons will be learned” . Absolutely stinks of corruption

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Feargal De Cantuin
    Favourite Feargal De Cantuin
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 10:59 PM

    @Rover: are you for real OFearaíl?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Kelly
    Favourite Pat Kelly
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 4:30 PM

    This is truly hilarious. The Chief Bottle Washer comes down strongly on the side of The Taxpayer, and delivers a meaningless diatribe which serves to achieve nothing other than to maybe convince some voters that it was all a freak occurrence and that there’s no need to take their votes elsewhere. After a century of running a country, how can anyone seriously talk about still being in the learning process? A big-mouthed buffoon and nothing else.

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lydia Mcloughlin
    Favourite Lydia Mcloughlin
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 6:12 PM

    “Lessons must be and will be learned…” there’s a familiar ring to those words!

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy C
    Favourite Paddy C
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 5:42 PM

    That’s great but will anyone actually answer for this and not just apologise and say ‘lessons learned’

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert Halvey
    Favourite Robert Halvey
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 7:38 PM

    Nearly 3 billion on a hospital that was built in the wrong place a bike shed for a third of a million migration uncontrolled homeless and access to health and yet a sizeable percentage of irish citizens are so frightened of change they will keep ffg in power

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Kerr
    Favourite Kevin Kerr
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:18 PM

    Thankfully those posts using the shameful treatment of kids with scoliosis in this country as a stick to bash immigrants have been deleted

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Freda Peeple
    Favourite Freda Peeple
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:22 PM

    @Kevin Kerr: Yea thank god Kevin, facts can be very hurty

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Kerr
    Favourite Kevin Kerr
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:58 PM

    @Freda Peeple: they’re not facts though, are they? Government treatment of kids with scoliosis is shameful, government assistance in medical treatment of kids from war torn countries is a good thing. One is not being done at the expense of the other. You would only think that one is being done at the expense of the other if you had an anti migrant agenda, like you have

    25
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Freda Peeple
    Favourite Freda Peeple
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 5:04 PM

    @Kevin Kerr: It is facts Kevin darling, we have kids abandoned here for years doubled over in pain, some will never recover. 900k plus people on waiting lists, understaffed hospitals, so excuse me for thinking flying kids over 5000kms to get treatment is virtue signalling. I’m sure some of the Saudi countries nearby could help more.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Kerr
    Favourite Kevin Kerr
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 5:18 PM

    @Freda Peeple: it is a fact that many parts of our health system is in crisis, however it is not a fact to say that kids from Gaza are being treated at the expense of kids from Ireland. And as for your opinion that all it is is virtue signalling, we have been asked to help by the WHO and this treatment will result in real benefits for the 30 kids concerned – quite the opposite of virtue signalling. Oh and finally, we are far from the only country that will help with this program. I don’t know for sure that Saudi is one of them, but so what? I’m quite sure you would have the same issue with it if Saudi was one of the countries in the program.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute June Kennedy
    Favourite June Kennedy
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 7:30 PM

    Lessons will be learnt….. where were the lessons learnt when the shop costing millions was built in grounds of DE. Who is learning lessons when it comes to children’s hospital.
    Who gives tents to immigrants who then camp illegally on canal Bank, before having tents confiscated and destroyed, before being replaced ….. this crazy country. where no one takes responsibility

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dominick Lodola
    Favourite Dominick Lodola
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 6:34 PM

    Lessons will be learned says he.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Kelly
    Favourite John Kelly
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 6:16 PM

    When are these bunch of clowns going to gone!!

    Is there any politician in this country with half a brain and not a muppet!

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy C
    Favourite Paddy C
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 10:14 PM

    @John Kelly: unfortunately not and there’s a shower that are comfortable in this country and worry not for others, who want them back in power and the opposition is hopeless also,its desperate altogether.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Orla Cosgrave
    Favourite Orla Cosgrave
    Report
    Sep 19th 2024, 6:22 AM

    Name and shame the company who built the bike shed and also investigate who they are related to in the Dail and / or OPW. This company needs to pay back at least €300,000 as they ripped off tax payers royally. How many more overpriced projects have the OPW managed.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Minnie Mouse
    Favourite Minnie Mouse
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 11:10 PM

    I don’t remember anything like this scale of ruckus in the Oireachtas when Bertie Ahern pissed away €55million on E-Voting machines that were never used. I think our elected representatives can grasp smaller figures and so can appear competent in questioning them. The real waste is left unchallenged.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Byrne
    Favourite Stephen Byrne
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 7:33 PM

    Don’t mind the bike shed have a look at the car park and new unnecessary road in fenit village co kerry it was a beautiful unspoilt field with cows grazing in it.its costing a fortune and I suppose the healy raes have contract and council acquired it from local owner at inflated price an absolute disgrace

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vincent Hickey
    Favourite Vincent Hickey
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 6:29 PM

    What a bunch of incompetent,deceitful,lying,corrupt bunch of C@NTS RUNNING this country out with the lot of gougers root and branch reform.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Heffernan
    Favourite Frank Heffernan
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 8:13 PM

    There are 16…. bicycles in the Dáil, that’s a fact……

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Basildon Joe
    Favourite Basildon Joe
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 3:17 PM

    @Fintan Pox: respect to you geezer

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Byrne
    Favourite Peter Byrne
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 5:29 PM

    What a load of moaning . Sure they spent 300K on a bike shed, Sydney opera house was hundreds of millions over budget and 15 years behind schedule, so what now. Government is doing fantastic job, budget surplus, low unemployment, plenty on great salaries, Irish able to travel all over the world. People should remember what the 70s and 80s were like

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy C
    Favourite Paddy C
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 5:43 PM

    @Peter Byrne: and generations living at home with they’re parents with half the world on the way over to us to be housed aswel with what’s in power oblivious to it,great crack.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jb Walshe
    Favourite Jb Walshe
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 6:48 PM

    @Peter Byrne: we don’t live in Sydney,and it’s 2024 not the 1970’s or the 1980’s Peter,it’s that attitude that allows them to keep doing what they have been doing with taxpayers money for decades. Are you one of them Peter?

    27
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james rowan
    Favourite james rowan
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 8:23 PM

    @Peter Byrne: low unemployment you say other ppl call CE scheme extra €27.50,,,

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute chris gaffney
    Favourite chris gaffney
    Report
    Sep 19th 2024, 7:13 AM

    @Peter Byrne: Absolutely right Peter. We are the envy of Europe!! World Class moaners……

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute hans vos
    Favourite hans vos
    Report
    Sep 18th 2024, 9:26 PM

    Exactly what I said. Your bad boys . And then we go on with our daily spending of other ones money

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vincent B
    Favourite Vincent B
    Report
    Sep 19th 2024, 1:35 PM

    Ahh the old “lessons will be learned” mantra
    Clearly they haven’t from previous wasteful projects

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute john mac
    Favourite john mac
    Report
    Sep 29th 2024, 10:08 AM

    Bike shed anger dont make me laugh its everything taxing people to the hilt stomping on small business while big internationals pay sweet fa , rte corruption no charges brought, childrens hospital etc golden handshakes lotto pensions with tax breaks no effing accountability , what is needed is nation wide strikes bring the country to a standstill , they have no respect for citizens or the tax money thats taken in not to mention bank bailouts the mafia treat people better

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enda McKenna
    Favourite Enda McKenna
    Report
    Sep 19th 2024, 10:52 AM

    Penny’s compared to the € wastage on the NCH

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds