Sicily and Sardinia had been considered but, in October 1968, after David Lean had seen the entire Wild Atlantic Way on foot, in a Land Rover, and by helicopter, he found himself on the hillside of Carhoo, on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, overlooking The Great Blasket Islands and made the incredible decision to build right there his village Kirrary for his latest epic feature film Ryan’s Daughter. The circus came to town in November 1968, “his Crew of Dedicated Maniacs”, over 200 workers built 40 structures with traditional materials – slate, granite and thatch – in terrible winter conditions. Electrics and plumbing were included in some of the buildings and the Pub and Shop were fully fitted out with 1916 fittings and stock. Filming began in March 1969 and ended in February 1970 and Dingle was transformed forever. Originally a 3 month shoot, it went on for 14 months. The budget rose from £9M to £14M and this at a time when the studio MGM were not doing so well financially. 

There were so many location set ups on The Dingle Peninsula including: THE VILLAGE (KIRRARY) and THE SCHOOL HOUSE in Dúin Chaoin, THE BUS STOP and THE BARRACKS at Clogher, Ceann Sréithe; and Coumeenole Beach, where the famous storm scene was shot, (Bridges of Ross, Co. Clare, also used for the storm scene). Considered The Last Epic and shot on 70mm film, it received very mixed reviews on it’s release but earned the 4th highest profit of that year at the box office and went on to win 2 Oscars – Best Cinematography for Freddie Young and Best Supporting Actor for John Mills, (the only ever Oscar for a non speaking role in the history of film). 

Adapted from Madame Bovary, the original script was written by Robert Bolt for his wife Sarah Miles. It had two other titles, ‘Michael’s Day’ and ‘Coming of Age’ before the producer, Havelock Allen suggested ‘Ryan’s Daughter’. Havelock Allen also wanted Gregory Peck to play the school master. Gregory Peck’s Great Grandmother, Catherine Ashe came from Minard just outside Dingle. Peck withdrew his interest when he heard Mitchum was being considered. Marlon Brando was to play the soldier with Peter O’Toole, Richard Harris and Richard Burton also being considered before Christopher Jones was cast by Lean without an audition. Alec Guinness turned down the role of Father Collins before it was offered to Trevor Howard.