Achill Born Documentary Maker's Documentary on TG4

Ag Trasnú an Atlantaigh Dhuibh (Crossing the Black Atlantic) will be broadcast on TG4 tomorrow night Wednesday the 18th of October at 9.30pm. Directed by Des Kilbane and Andrew Gallimore, the documentary is an action-packed narrative laced with southern belles, fights to the death and tales of debauchery and destitution all seen through the eyes of a compelling but tragic character.  Documentary maker, Des Kilbane, is originally from Achill Island.  The documentary had its world premiere early this year at the Galway Film Fleadh.

From bondage to the baddest man on the planet describes the life and times of Tom Molineaux whose story is told in the latest documentary from Galway-based company DesK Productions.  Having saved his owner’s plantation in Virginia by winning a fist-fight, Tom Molineaux sailed to England where he challenged the Heavyweight Champion in a contest that’s still considered one of the most shameful episodes in British sports history. Molineaux was cheated of the title and of all his money, so the first American sporting hero fled to Ireland where he died in poverty in 1818.

The documentary was commissioned by TG4 and was part-funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.  The attached artwork was created specially for the film by artist Maeve Clancy who is based in Achill.