Drumalee Photography and Film Club
Drumalee Photography and Film Club was born when a group of individuals interested in exploring their creativity identified photography and film as an inspiring media for their creative voice. The group who are service users at the day hospital in Cavan community mental health team experienced increased social isolation and decreased mental health and well-being in the context of the Covid 19 pandemic.
The Photography and Film Club was established in July 2020 in the context of Covid 19 restrictions by Dr Claire Murphy, occupational therapist and Charlene Tully, Drumalee Mental Health Day Hospital Manager. The medium of photography enabled the members to engage in a creative medium, to connect with others, to facilitate learning new skills and to engage in exercise while exploring the local area with their cameras.
With the support of Cavan County Council Arts Office, the group worked with Colm Mullen, film maker and artist facilitator since Autumn 2020. The group and the artist met on a weekly basis and experimented with specialist equipment, explored the local streetscape and architecture, researched history and folklore and sought insight from local history experts to inform their creative process.
The Club premiered their documentary film, “The Life of Reilly” at Cavan Arts Festival on the 19th of May 2022. The artists were joined at the launch at Townhall Cavan by family, friends and the local community. Their work can be viewed on the former Donohoe’s Food Fayre on Bridge St, Cavan. A private viewing of the photos at the Townhall can be arranged by appointment with staff. The Club took part in Portals of Wellbein, part of the Faoin Spéir In the Open programme in Cavan and Ballyjamesduff. The group were also shortlisted for an Ann Beckett Award by the Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland (AOTI).
Recently Teach Oscail Family Resource Centre has been successful in receiving grant funding from Mental Health Ireland to expand and develop Drumalee Photography and Film Club in conjunction with HSE Cavan Monaghan Mental Health Service and Cavan Monaghan Arts and Health Forum. The funding will enable film and photography equipment to be purchased and the club will be open to all members of the local community. Further details contact Cavan County Council Arts Office artsoffice@cavancoco.ie / 049 4378549. To arrange a private viewing of the photos at Townhall contact Townhall Street, Cavan, Co. Cavan, 049 4380494.
The Life of Reilly (documentary film)
Produced and Directed by: The Drumalee Film and Photography Club, Cavan.
The Drumalee Film and Photography Club saw its development and implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants from Cavan Mental Health Day Hospital (HSE), with the support of Cavan County Council Arts office, formed this community focused arts and health project. Exploring the relationship between film/photography and the environment with particular focus of local history.
‘The Life of Reilly’ takes the viewer on a tour of Cavan’s historical landmarks.
Available to view on cavan arts youtube
