A Hardy Bucks homecoming

A Hardy Bucks homecoming to Mayo


Ciara Galvin
ciaragalvin@mayonews.ie

Rather than drinkin’, shmokin’ and fightin’, it was popcorn, Maltesers and Mayo Movie World’s first world premiere last Thursday night. The Bucks from Castletown rolled into the county town for the homecoming première of The Hardy Bucks Movie.
There was palpable excitement among the largely teenage contingent, who travelled from all over the county in the hope to get a picture with the lads.
Although not familiar with the norm of premières, seeing the stars of a movie greeting many of the audience by name is surely a rare occurrence.
In textbook Hardy Bucks style, the lads got behind the concession stand posing for photos with cinema staff, before showering the crowd with popcorn and chocolate.
“I’ll sort ye out lads,” quipped the flame-haired actor Martin Maloney who plays the film’s protagonist Eddie Durkan.
It was a real family affair for Maloney, whose brother in-law Mike Cockayne directed the film. His wife, Lisa (Maloney’s sister), promotes it. In fact, the crew comes across as one big family, all excited to be ‘bringing Universal to Mayo’.
Speaking to The Mayo News, Mayo Movie World owner Pat Concannon said the cinema had seen its highest recording of pre-ticket sales ever (excluding midnight screenings) for the homegrown film.
Tom Kilgallon who plays ‘Boo’ described the premiere as ‘a homecoming’ with his fellow cast member Owen Colgan (Buzz) noting it was like Old Trafford to Alex Ferguson.
“The crowd seemed to like it. We got a standing ovation in Cork and everyone (the cast) is pleased. If the sentiments are the same up and down the country, we may have a sequel,” explained Kilgallon.
A very proud Owen Colgan admitted the lads were exhausted but that it was ‘very good fun’.
Proud of the fact that the film is the first Irish film Universal Studios has taken on since ‘In Bruges’, Maloney said it was incredible that the studio has promoted the film like an American blockbuster.
Enjoying the introduction of the film by director Mike Cockayne, the bucks settled in for the most important critics screening – their friends and family.

Quote Unquote
Emma Moore, 17
Castlebar
“I thought it was really good and awful funny. My favourite bit was when they lads kept driving the van away from Viper.”

Kevin Canning, 16
Ballyvary
“It was very funny. I’d recommend it to everyone. I don’t think if it was played in another country it would be got as well. I thought when they befriended Viper it tied in well.”

Ellie McHale, 17
Breaffy
“It was hilarious. I’d absolutely go see it again.”

HAVE YOUR SAY email ciaragalvin@mayonews.ie with your comments