Why is it difficult to learn to live in peace? Travel to Benburb Priory and discover how entertainment can communicate a spiritual message.

This Catholic Priory is perhaps an unexpected hub for Cultural Revolution in Ireland. In the late 1960s and early 1970s these Servites gave a platform to the struggle of ideas erupting in a country eager for change. Their literary review encouraged a bold exploration of ideas with ‘no neat agenda just an urge to stir things up’. You can experience their cross-community pageant as Christopher Fitz-Simon explains the process of this experimental hybrid of radio and theatre. 
 

Terence McDonald (1926 – 2001) was a teacher, film historian, film collector and a pioneering amateur filmmaker from Derry. He made 35 films in his lifetime covering a wide range of themes such as mental health, travelling theatre, and portraits of his home town, Derry. His playful fiction films often pay homage to classic cinema moments from Peyton Place to Potemkin, from Chaplin to Jacques Tati. Terence McDonald undertook all aspects of production - filming, sound recording and editing and produced a body of remarkably sophisticated work. This film is courtesy of his son, Peter McDonald.

A Fairview Films production

Directed by Terence Mc Donald

Produced by Terence Mc Donald

Written by Gerry Wills

Interviewee: Christopher Fitzsimmons

Musical Performance: Dana

Digitised as part of Unlocking Film Heritage

• Britain on Film
• BFI Player