Mummers, Masks and Mischief
25mins | 2005 | Mumming is an age old tradition of folk drama, which has been practiced in various guises throughout Ireland and England for hundreds of years.
Often referred to as a dying tradition, it's hard to think of it in such terms, when you come into contact with the unruly bunch of reprobates who call themselves the Aughakillymaude mummers!
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These Fermanagh-based mummers approached us because they wanted their work put on the record. Or maybe it was because they wanted a film for educational purposes; to show in schools, and to exhibit in their centre. Or was it, as 'Captain Mummer' says, for propaganda purposes?
The original reason for the film is lost in the sands of time. Whatever the reason, we rose to the challenge! We climbed the highest mountains, and filmed there. There were helicopters. Bonfires. People hitting each other with swords, clubs. Old rhymes were recited. Bagpipes a piping. Mid-winter parades in Bulgaria. We met red Hugh.
The result was a wonderful 25-minute film, the making of which we will never forget (whether we want to or not). We're not off the hook yet, and have since travelled to Bulgaria, Macedonia, Sardinia gathering material for future use, whatever use that may be...
- Commissioned by The Aughakillymaude Community Mummers
- Produced and directed by James Kelly
- Filmed by Michael Kelly and Michael O’Donovan
- Edited by Rónán Ó Muirgheasa