A Cavan filmmaker is appealing through Northern Sound, calling for anyone in the county who may have 'the cure' to get in touch. Sarah McKenna Dunne from Munterconnaught is currently researching her latest film project about ancient cures and healers in Cavan.
When she started into her research Sarah had expected to make a film challenging stereotypes around cures but, months into her research the film will now be about legacy and making sure we don't lose the connection between modern life and our ancient ancestors. Recognising the intimate and secret nature of cures handed down through generations in Ireland, Sarah says anyone with a cure who would be willing to discuss their "gift" would not have to appear on camera.
The filmmaker hopes to bring her project to the screen by this summer. She can be contacted by email on info@griefoftheseventh child.ie. She explained how difficult it can be to reach the people in this area who have cures. "It's very interesting; whenever I ask someone about the cure they'll say 'oh, I know a fella' and they'll give me maybe the surname, maybe the they're able to give me the age range or, maybe, the townland and that's about it," Sarah told Northern Sound, "And, sometimes it's very much about 'if you go up the road and take the bad bend and turn left by the fairy tree and, if there's a crow in the garden looking at you, don't go in but, if the crow's circling the house, he's there. For me, that kinda reinforces the fact that we're very much connected to the land and cures can very much come from the land."
