Reports of a Crash – Photographic Exhibition and Talk by local filmmaker, Fergus Sweeney.

Mayo filmmaker, Fergus Sweeney, was the successful recipient of the Film Mayo Creative Ireland Residency Award in partnership with Ballina Arts Centre. Film Mayo is a Mayo Arts Service, Mayo County Council initiative. As part of the Film Mayo Creative Ireland Residency Award, Fergus is currently in the process of making a feature length documentary focused on the Rescue 116 tragedy when four Irish Coast Guards lost their life’s in a helicopter crash off Blacksod.  The focus of Fergus’s documentary is to tell the story through a series of interviews with local Erris people who found themselves very much affected by the tragedy and resulting 42 day search. 

As Fergus residency draws to a close, he currently has an exhibition of photography that relates to the crash and community involvement on display in Ballina Arts Centre.  During the launch, Fergus also gave a talk on his residency and his experience reporting those events at the time and his plans for the forthcoming documentary.  Fergus also showed a promo of the documentary. The main sense from those attending the launch was a sense of healing from such tragic circumstances, which will be at the heart of Fergus’s documentary.

The launch took place in Ballina Arts Centre on Saturday the 12th of January.  The Official Launch was by Councillor Blackie Gavin, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council. 

The photographic exhibition runs until 2nd March. Free admission. All welcome.

For further information contact Film Mayo: filmmayo@mayococo.ie  094 9064367 www.filmmayo.ie  Film Mayo, Mayo Arts Office, Mayo County Council, Áras an Chontae, Castlebar, Mayo, F23 WF90.