Sam Maguire's legacy shines on in church bells project

A DOCUMENTARY on the Sam Maguire Community Bells project has premiered in Dunmanway.

Brendan Hayes’s documentary is about a community that worked together to install eight bells in St Mary’s Church in Dunmanway in honour of one of the town’s most famous sons, Sam Maguire.

The premier took place in a packed GAA pavilion on Friday night and the audience included authors Margaret Walsh and Kieran Connolly, both of whom have written books about Sam Maguire’s incredible story. 

Mr Hayes told The Southern Star: ‘They too featured in the documentary along with a plethora of dignitaries including both of Cork’s bishops John Buckley and Paul Colton.’

Former GAA President, Liam O’Neill, was the guest of honour at the launch because he was on board with the Community Bells project from day one.

Mr O’Neill paid tribute to Rev Cliff Jeffers, who spearheaded the project, and Mr Hayes for the excellent work they have done over the last 12 months. He said he was confident that it was ‘just the beginning’ in terms of highlighting the extraordinary legacy of Sam Maguire.

Cllr Declan Hurley (Ind) also paid tribute Mr Hayes and his partner, Amanda Murnane, for their continued efforts in supporting Dunmanway.

He noted that the documentary was their second project to be screened in as many weeks, following the premiere of the comedy feature, Inlaws and Outlaws’, which was filmed mainly in Dunmanway.

Rev Jeffers confirmed that the documentary will be a feature of the Community Bells visitor attraction and that visitors will be able to access different chapters on a new audio-visual touch screen information point that will be installed shortly.