ROOTS & WINGS
(Pigeon Racing in Ballyfermot)
'An outstanding documentary about pigeon racing and its place in the community (Cork Film Fest. Commendation 1998)
It was only after I'd already made both a documentary and a short film featuring racing pigeons that my mother told me how my great grandfather had been an avid pigeon man. Apparently when my Grandmother used go courting, he'd give her a bird to release for a practice run.
My own personal fascination with pigeon racing started 17 years ago when I shot my award winning documentary about pigeon racing in Ballyfermot. In both films I explore father/son relationships and modes of masculine communication. Pigeon racing, as a point of connection, could just as well be football or hunting but I love the unlikely poetry of the connection between men and their birds. Having shot both in Sarsfields sport and racing club, many of the same faces feature in both. While unfortunately Charlie Osborne has passed away, the young boy being taught to 'ring' has since married. Meanwhile the toddler, seen eating a bar of chocolate, now keeps pigeons of his own.
It was only after I'd already made both a documentary and a short film featuring racing pigeons that my mother told me how my great grandfather had been an avid pigeon man. Apparently when my Grandmother used go courting, he'd give her a bird to release for a practice run.
My own personal fascination with pigeon racing started 17 years ago when I shot my award winning documentary about pigeon racing in Ballyfermot. In both films I explore father/son relationships and modes of masculine communication. Pigeon racing, as a point of connection, could just as well be football or hunting but I love the unlikely poetry of the connection between men and their birds. Having shot both in Sarsfields sport and racing club, many of the same faces feature in both. While unfortunately Charlie Osborne has passed away, the young boy being taught to 'ring' has since married. Meanwhile the toddler, seen eating a bar of chocolate, now keeps pigeons of his own.