Will Brooklyn success translate into Golden era in tourism for Enniscorthy?
TOURIST chiefs in Enniscorthy are planning to capitalise on the success of hit movie Brooklyn by setting up a guided tour and a museum on the film.
It comes as Irish hopefuls prepare for possible success at the Golden Globes tonight with Room director Lenny Abrahamson and screenwriter Emma Donoghue, Steve Jobs star Michael Fassbender, Outlander’s Caitriona Balfe and, of course, Saoirse Ronan of Brooklyn.
The record number of Irish nominations could herald a very good night to be Irish in the Beverly Hilton – with the British press trying to pass off some of the hotly tipped contenders as their own in recent days.
But it is already awardwinning film Brooklyn which will be Ireland’s flagship tonight – with awards buzz starting to mount around its young Carlow lead actress.
Much of the movie, which stars Irish actors, Saoirse Ronan and Domhnall Gleeson, was shot in the picturesque Co. Wexford town in April 2014 ahead of its release last year. With Ronan, 21 – who has already bagged a string of awards for her central role in the movie – hotly tipped to bag a Golden Globe gong today and an Oscar nomination on Thursday, moves are gathering pace to emulate the movie-inspired tourist boom that continues to this day in Cong, Co. Mayo, after 1952 film The Quiet Man.
Cathy Keane, who runs Heritage Tours Wexford in Enniscorthy, said her soon-tobe-launched guided Brooklyn bus tour will be just one of a number of planned activities.
‘I’m looking to set up a specific “Brooklyn” tour and of course I’m very hopeful that Saoirse wins an Oscar, because that would like a golden chalice to the town,’ she said.