Irish Documentary 'The Pipe' Wins Again

A new Irish documentary The Pipe has won more festival accolades, just days ahead of its nationwide release date.
Director Risteard O Domhnaill and Producer Rachel Lysaght travelled to Amsterdam for the prestigious International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA) where they picked up an Honourable Mention from the IDFA Green Screen Jury before heading straight off to the Foyle Film Festival in Derry where the film received the Best Documentary prize.
The Pipe is a compelling documentary of Rossport's struggle against the economic might of Shell and the tragic divisions that have split a once-peaceful and close knit community.
The Pipe, which was produced by Underground Films for Scannain Inbhear is no stranger to festival success having already scooped the Best Documentary at the Galway Film Fleadh as well as hugely successful screenings and discussions at the London and Toronto Film Festivals.
Director Risteard O Domhnaill said: "I had no idea, four years ago, when i started filming on Corrib, that it would turn out to be such an incredible story and the strength of character of these people would inspire audiences all over the world. Now to see the story of this small community on the edge of the Atlantic coming to Irish cinemas around the country is hard to believe and it's really encouraging to know that Irish films can hold their own among the big Hollywood blockbusters."
Rossport is a tiny village of farmers and fisherman in north mayo that has, for years, been resisting Shell Oil's attempts to build an onshore refinery. For four years, O Domhnaill was granted access to follow three members of the community; Willie Corduff, one of the Rossport Five and his attempts to defend the farm his father reclaimed from the bog; Monica Muller who controversially refused to join protests but whose court action has delivered a major blow to Shell; and Pat The Chief O'Donnell, a local fisherman who is repeatedly arrested for daringly sailing his small fishing boat into the path of the gigantic pip-layer ship, The Solitaire.
The Pipe is being released at cinemas nationwide from December 3. The Gala Preview of The Pipe at the IFI on December 2 will be attended by Director Risteard O Domhnaill, Producer Rachel Lysaght, and members of the Rossport community including characters from the film Willie and Mary Corduff, Pat O'Donnell, Monica Muller and Maura Harrington.
The Pipe is produced by Scannain Inbhear with funding from Bord Scannan na hEireann/the Irish Film Board and TG4.
(KMcA/BMcC)