By Dionne Meehan
A RAPHOE videographer’s short film has been selected to screen at the Chicago Irish Film Festival later this month.
Simon Barr’s short film ‘The Last of the Hand Weavers’ delves into the life of Ardara man Eddie Doherty, who has been weaving since the late 1950s.
Mr Doherty, who is now in his late 80s, is the owner of ‘Eddie Doherty’s Handwoven Tweeds’ in Ardara.
He is one of the last hand weavers from his generation.
Recently picking up an award at the Manchester Film Festival, Mr Barr said this was the first independent film he made.
Leaving the construction industry during the recession to study media and film making, he said the response to the film has been very encouraging.
“I am a wedding videographer mostly,” he said.
“But I always wanted to make my own independent films.
“When I got the idea of doing one about Donegal Tweed, I done some research about Ardara and I ended up getting in contact with Eddie Doherty.
“He is the last of a generation of hand weavers from the 50s and 60s, in his late 80s now and still doing it.
“It is nice to keep that old tradition alive.”
Eddie Doherty, owner of ‘Eddie Doherty Handwoven Tweeds’ in Ardara.
In November 1956, Mr Doherty began working in a small factory in Ardara called Molloy’s.
“At that time, you grew up with weavers,” Mr Doherty told the Donegal News.
“Every second family in Ardara would have been involved in weaving.
“If you started to weave, you had a chance of staying at home as that was the only work available at that stage.
“A lot of young lads emigrated in those years.”
In 1959, a local shopkeeper called Ernie Baskin approached Mr Doherty and asked him to make rugs.
“I have been making rugs ever since, they are famous all over the world,” Mr Doherty said.
Submitting the short film to various film festivals, Mr Barr spoke of his shock when he received the news his film would screen at the Chicago Irish Film Festival.
“I was delighted when that was announced, I wasn’t expecting it,” he said
“I always wanted to do something like this and I am glad to get that opportunity now.”
The Chicago Irish Film Festival has been dedicated to presenting the works of Irish filmmakers since 1999.
The festival opens a window into the colour and complexity of Irish life for Chicago audiences.
If you wish to check out the trailer of Mr Barr’s short film, you can do so via – https://youtu.be/CyQNl4Jfnyc?
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