Buncrana teen Dallán Woods shines in Trad as film heads for nationwide release
Inishowen musician revels in leading role in trad-inspired coming-of-age road-trip movie
Young Buncrana actor Dallán Woods’ film Trad will have its premiere in Dublin on Wednesday 6 May, and will go on general release two days later.
Dallán, who is 15, is already well known among traditional music groups for his talent.
Filmed in the summer of 2024, Trad follows a talented young fiddle player, Shona McAnally (played by Gaoth Dobhair musican and fiddler Megan Nic Fhionnghaile), and her younger brother, played by Woods, as they leave the Gaeltacht with a group of musicians. This road-trip movie becomes a cross country odyssey filled with adventure, romance and an exploration of Ireland’s musical traditions.
Read more: Walk into the light at Malin Head on 9 May
The film, which had a special screening in Buncrana Cinema the weekend before last, has already gained traction, winning the Audience Award at the Galway Film Festival. It is directed by Lance Daly, who is best known for directing Black ’47.
Coming from a well-known musical family, Dallán grew up steeped in the traditions that underpin the film’s narrative. His mother, the renowned fiddler and academic Liz Doherty, is one of Donegal’s best-known traditional musicians and educators. His father, Jim Woods, is a respected musician and teacher who has long played a central role in developing young trad players in Inishowen and runs Scoil Trad Buncrana.
The film will be shown in cinemas across Ireland from Friday 8 May.
In the film, Dallán plays a leading role, showcasing his skills on the tin whistle. The film will also be shown at the Irish Film Festival in London. It also stars Aidan Gillen, known for his roles in Game of Thrones and Love/Hate.
The movie has been receiving glowing reports online, with film critic Sarah Manvel noting the uplifting, positive nature of the film: “Since seeing Trad, I’ve been trying to remember another coming-of-age movie about a teenage girl in which she doesn’t come to the tiniest bit of harm. I can’t, making Trad so rare and unusual that only this fact makes it must see.”
With the film set for screens across Ireland and further afield, this is only the start of Dallán’s acting career, but with his musical skills he looks set for a big future in front of the camera.