"The Irish in Film"

The Irish Studies Program's film series continues on October 13 with "Jimmy's Hall" (2014).  Set in County Leitrim, Ireland, in the 1930s, the film features Barry Ward as Jimmy Gralton, an Irish communist and community activist, who has just returned from New York City after a ten-year self-imposed exile. He reopens a hall that he built during the Irish Civil War (1922-1923) to hold educational classes and dancing for the locals. The hall is seen as a threat to the parish priest, Fr. Sheridan, played by Jim Norton, as well as the local political establishment. Jimmy, a hero to his community, is condemned for his politics and liberal ideas by the oppressive power structure. The film is directed by Ken Loach and written by Paul Laverty, who produced the highly acclaimed "The Wind That Shakes the Barley."  It is based on the true story of James Gralton, the only Irishman deported to the United States as an illegal alien.