Ballinrobe Court House features in the film -The Flight of the Doves

Mr. Luke Higgins plays the role of court clerk in the film.

Donor

The interior of the old Courthouse built c 1752

The interior of Dermot O'Connor's bar. Note the wonderful ceilings.

A 1971 film based on the novel by Walter Macken

By Averil Staunton

Ballinrobe Streets, the Courthouse and Dermot O’Connor’s bar (formally the open loggia of the Ballinrobe Market House built c. 1752) were used in parts of this film with some of the local community actually taking part.  

Local actors

So far it has been established that Mr. Luke Higgins and Mr. Harry Carthy played roles in the film and we would like to hear of anybody else who featured.

The storyline

“Desperate to escape their vicious uncle in London, orphans Finn and Derval Dove embark on a dangerous journey across England to the west of Ireland. Lonely and scared, their only hope lies in reaching the cottage of their beloved grandmother.

But for some reason their uncle offers a reward for their return and suddenly Finn and Derval find themselves at the centre of a nationwide search.

They were dogged every step of the way by people they don't know, as their uncle had offered a reward for their return”.

The Flight of the Doves starring Ron Moody & Jack Wild is an entertaining family film and is complemented by a great musical score and beautiful scenery of the Irish landscape.

The film includes catchy songs – “You don't have to be Irish to be Irish”, which is sung during the St Patrick's Day Parade scene and “Far Off Place” which is sung by one of the actors Sheila; with the song being half in Gaelic (Irish) and half in English.  The songs talk about dreams and reaching your goals and finally seeing 'the far off place'.

The film was written by Frank Gabrielson and Ralph Nelson (who also directed the film).