Mayo's road safety campaign ad filmed in Westport

The streets of Westport temporarily became a film location this week when Mayo County Council's Road Safety Campaign advert was filmed in the town. The shoot started with a pub scene shot in McGings Pub, followed by some scenes outside The West Bar and on the streets of the town. The Grand Finale was a simulated check point outside the Fire Station on the Leenane Road.
“Remembrance Day” for all the victims of road traffic accidents took place last week, on Sunday, November 19. and its significance spurred Mayo's Road Safety Officer Gary Smyth to create a campaign that would appeal to people's better sense of judgement to never drink and drive, and therefore save lives on our roads.
The campaign is called “The choice is yours” and was Directed by local Film Director Alan Friel who’s new feature film ‘Woken” has just had its world premiere at Newport Beach Film Festival. The Production was carried out by local film production
company Western Front Studios, run by Brian Durcan (Director of Photography) and Emer Durcan (Producer).
Gary Smyth, Road Safety Officer, said: “Mayo County Council's Christmas Campaign underscores the importance of responsible driving, with a particular emphasis on combating drink driving. The campaign's theme is clear: ‘The Choice is Yours.' Notably, 35% of all drink driving offenses occur the day after a night out.
Planning ahead is crucial. Consider your night out and secure a safe way home. Allocate a designated driver or opt for a taxi. The decision ultimately rests with you.”

Shooting the campaign ad was a real community effort with members of the Gardai Traffic Corps Declan Casey and Vincent O’Boyle manning the simulated check point to make sure it was rooted in reality. Local musicians Pat Friel and Liam Grealis also took part in the shoot as well as local taxi man Tom McHale.

Alan Friel said: “It was great to have the opportunity to film something local and involve the local community. I even roped my Dad and his friend in to be musicians in the pub scene. Big thanks to the students from the local film and photography course who really helped out, we couldn’t have done it without them. The local Gardai were great and we are delighted with how the project turned out”.

The students of The Mayo College of Further Education were both assistants to the crew and featured extras in the film, as part of the work experience portion of the course. Their teacher Sinead Wall said: “It was a great opportunity for the Mayo College film students to experience a professional film shoot. They thoroughly enjoyed the day working as extras and assistants. It gave them an insight into the collaborative nature and discipline of the filming process. Mayo College of Further Education and Training offers two excellent courses in film production at the Westport Campus and we were delighted to be able to team up with local filmmakers, Western Front Studios and director, Alan Friel.”
The advert will be aired on Mayo County Council's social media and in cinemas before Christmas.