County Roscommon resident enjoys success at national film awards

A Knockcroghery resident is enjoying the success of ‘That They May Face The Rising Sun’, a film adapted from a John McGahern novel, which won the top award for Best Film at the Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTA).

Cavan man Philip Dolan, who has lived in the County Roscommon village for almost fifty years, made his acting debut in the film and attended the IFTAs with the crew and cast last weekend in Dublin.

Philip never acted before but through an accidental encounter with the film’s director Pat Collins in Knockcroghery, he ended up playing the role of ‘Jamesie’ in the movie.

Philip and his wife Marina from Moore, who live in the Station House in Knockcroghery, are members of the South Roscommon Singers Circle.

‘That They May Face the Rising Sun’ is the story about Joe and Kate Ruttledge, played by Barry Ward and Ann Bederke, who have returned from London to live and work among a small, rural, lakeside community in Ireland near to where Joe grew up.

Their lives and those of the memorable characters are framed within the cycle of a year and the passing seasons, encompassing events such as haymaking, market days, lambing, and various celebrations like Christmas and Easter. It’s well accepted that the story is about the writer himself and his wife Madeline at the time they returned to Leitrim.

‘That They May Face the Rising Sun’ will be released nationwide this week, and is listed on the Omniplex Roscommon timetable for this Thursday night.

Directed by renowned Pat Collins, the film stars Barry Ward (Jimmy’s Hall, Bad Sisters) and Anna Bederke (Soul Kitchen, Sterben) in the lead roles. Lalor Roddy (Grabbers, God’s Creatures), Sean McGinley (Michael Collins, Braveheart), Ruth McCabe (Philomena, Joy Ride) and first-time actor Philip Dolan make up the rich cast of supporting characters.