Director: Sé Merry Doyle
Producer: Martina Durac
Co-Producer: The Office of Public Works (OPW)
Photography: Donal Gilligan, Michael O’Donovan
Editor: Sé Merry Doyle
Script: Theo Dorgan & Helen Curtin
Narration: Theo Dorgan
Research: Helen Curtin
Music: Laura Forrest-Hay
Location: Farmleigh, Dublin
Format: Digi Beta
Running Time: 1 x 56mins
Year Made: 2002
Transmission: RTE

This film documents the story of how Farmleigh, the former residence of Edward Cecil Guinness, the first Earl of Iveagh, became Ireland’s official state residence for visiting dignitaries. The film charts the very interesting history of the house and the enormous undertaking that the OPW took on in trying to restore the house to its former glory.

A vast team of designers, artists, builders and carpenters worked around the clock to get the house ready for its official opening in July of 2001 and the film captures the intensity of the time as the day draws near and the work continues at a furious pace. Meticulously filmed to capture the beauty of the house and its rooms, which hold great secrets and history, the documentary presents a visually stunning journey through Farmleigh as it returns to its graceful and opulent past splendour.

As the day dawns and the crowds begin to arrive for the huge celebrations to open the house, the film shows clearly how Farmleigh is set to become a jewel in the crown of the OPW and a wonderful and fascinating amenity for the people of Ireland.

The film is directed by Sé Merry Doyle known for previous films such as James Gandon – A Life and the recent Alive Alive O! – A Requiem for Dublin. The producer is Martina Durac who produced the books programme Imprint for RTE and the narration is by poet and broadcaster Theo Dorgan.

Farmleigh is located in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, which is also the location for the American Ambassadors Residence and Arus an Uachtarainn, the home of the Irish President. The film is sumptuously shot on Digi Beta and features an original score by Laura Forrest–Hay.