Meitheal – The story of a Search is a 52 minute independent documentary by filmmaker Fergus Sweeney.

Tune into RTÉ 1 Tuesday 16th August 2022 at 10.30pm to see Meitheal – The story of a Search a 52 minute independent documentary by 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 in 2018.  The residency laid the foundations for Fergus to produce this poignant documentary focusing on the Rescue 116 tragedy.

The documentary chronicles how the small isolated coastal community of Erris in North Mayo found itself at the heart of the search for the crew of Irish Coastguard helicopter Rescue 116 in March of 2017. a tragedy that shocked and gripped the nation and would affect the lives of all who helped in a search lasting over 42 days.

Told through the voices of community members who witnessed and participated in the search, the film recalls, the key events for the local community, revealing their feelings and emotions for the duration of the search. The film also chronicles how the same community would come together one year following the crash in an effort to rewrite their ending of events as they completed a cycle from Dublin airport to the Lighthouse in Blacksod in memory of the crew of Rescue 116.