We’ve just finished the post production on a documentary made in Caltragh, Sligo that details the work of artist Tracy Walsh in a community art project. It was shot by Johnny Gogan over a three year period and brings together all the aspects and influences involved in the project. These range from trips for the kids to local Sligo megaliths with archeologist Padraig Meehan to the investigations of the installation site by Geomancer Alanna Moore. Fair play to Johnny for being everywhere with his camera..up so many mountains I lost count.. and into Cairns etc. Not to mention the kids…who were a great leveller. I felt knackered just watching the footage every day in the editing. It really was a labour of love in many ways for Johnny (Tracy is his partner). As usual he pushed the boat out for the end shots of the final art installation by hiring a cherry picker to shoot the green on the estate…and got great shots that had the visions of the Caltragh Nature Spirit composited onto them.
The end result is truly an expedition for artist and community not to be forgotten. Hopefully we’ll try to get it up online at some point.
This project was also shot by Johnny Gogan in parallel with Padraig Meehan’s own documentary “Uplands”. As having been reared in this environment this is his own guide to the megaliths of Sligo that he has known all his life and a very unique interpretation of their origins and myths. As Padraig is an official OPW guide to the sites he has his own presentation style which is unique and not to be missed. Maybe it comes with a liberal dose of a rock’n roll past (Those Nervous Animals..80s) but I find him compulsive watching and I know him..and that’s rare enough. I personally think that the future for Padraig as a presenter could be bright. When it comes to the Megaliths of the North West then he’s the man. Watch this space.