Film directed by Oscar winner in Donegal was amongst ‘happiest works’ done

An Oscar-winning film director praised the “real variety of landscapes,” and “wildness” of Donegal as he complimented the county as a backdrop for his new major film release, The Three Urns.

Stephen Warbeck, who won an Oscar in 1998 for Best Original Music for his work in Shakespeare in Love, co-wrote and co-directed his latest film, The Three Urns, with John-Paul Davidson, which was entirely filmed in Donegal.

Warbeck spoke to Donegal Live about his experience filming in Donegal

The film, which is set for release on April 17, including in cinemas in Bundoran, Letterkenny, and Lifford, stars acting heavyweights such as the Oscar-nominated Ciaran Hinds, former James Bond actress Olga Kurylenko, Game of Thrones actor Stephen Dillane, Topboy actress Lisa Dwan, the Laurence Olivier award-nominated Sinead Cusack, and long-time British television favourite, Stephen Fry. 

In the film, Mr O’Connor, played by Hind, after years living in France, sets out on a pilgrimage to his former home in Ireland after the death of his wife. 

Equal parts picturesque and picaresque, his journey is full of serendipitous encounters with a cohort of colourful characters, including a Lithuanian painter, an itinerant priest, horse traders and horse whisperers, a Choctaw native commemorating the Great Famine, and a group of mystic women worshipping at the ancient Beltany Stone Circle. 

When asked about why Donegal was chosen as the film’s location, Warbeck responded: “We wanted somewhere that had a real variety of landscapes and also needed a wildness that you find in Donegal. 

“It offers such a variety of things, from beautiful villages to fantastic beaches. Everything was there, and because the film was relatively low-budget, everything had to be in a reasonable radius. 

“We could not move the crew miles away because you would lose the days of filming. Everything had to be in a base, and we found that in Donegal, and we couldn’t find many places to offer that.”

Warbeck then explained that he, Davidson, and film producers visited Donegal on four preliminary visits to scout potential shoot locations. 

“We explored different parts of the county,” said Warbeck. “Firstly, in Donegal Town and the last visit in Letterkenny, which was very close to where we ended up filming. We looked at the village of Ramelton and thought it offered a real range of things to film and life there. The beach and other things were always within striking distance. 

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“Once we did that, the organisation was based around Letterkenny and Ramelton. The people are just so friendly, and you chat away to the people in bars, shops or on the street. It feels friendlier than most places you go to and more welcoming.“

Ireland has become a hotspot in recent years as a location for film settings, particularly around large cities like Dublin or Belfast. Warbeck maintained that the ruralness of Donegal compared to other populated places had significant positives, especially for a film director. 

He said: “I like being away from big cities because you really focus on the work. I don’t want people to be prevented from going home, but everyone is there for the duration of filming and working together for the same end. 

“In Dublin and London, everyone disperses back to their own life and it feels like you have to start the whole thing fresh again every day. A place like Donegal is 100% a positive. I imagine if you are the producer, it involves better access to transport, but as a director, everything is good about it.”

Conway's Bar in Ramelton was a prominent location for the film’s actors and behind-the- scenes workers. The popular bar was turned into a GAA Clubhouse for the film shoots, and the bar was chosen as one of Warbeck’s favourite locations whilst in Donegal.

The bar, along with An Grianan and the Beltany Stone Circles, was described as a site that stood out as “exceptional and unique locations” that gave the film a “special character.”

“We made the clubhouse out of Conways,” said Warbeck. “We looked at clubhouses on GAA grounds, but the places were too modern, and Conways had a wonderful, intimate atmosphere. A sign was stuck over Conway's, which said GAA club.”

Not only did Warbeck appreciate the beauty of Donegal, but so, he said, did the film’s actors.

“Stephen Fry knows Ireland very well and loves it,” commented Warbeck. “He plays quite a small part in the film, so he was maybe here for two nights, but obviously was very happy to be there.

“Olga (Kurylenko) seemed besotted by the county and the country. I think she knew Ireland, but I don’t think she knew Donegal. Especially since filming, she spoke about loving Donegal. She definitely loved Donegal, and maybe one day, we will do another film.

“I would say, and John-Paul (Davidson) would agree with me, it was one of the happiest works I have done. I loved being there. It was exactly a year ago, and I really miss it.”