Madam, - I am researching all aspects of the making of the film Alfred the Greatin various locations in Co Galway in the summer of 1968 and would like to hear from anyone who participated in any substantial capacity. Photographs and printed memorabilia would be particularly welcome.
Although the film "bombed" on release, millions of pounds were spent on it and the finest actors (David Hemmings, Prunella Ransome, Ian McKellen, Michael York, Sinead Cusack and Jim Norton) worked on it, along with Clive Donner and production associate Lord Killanin. A 12,000-square-foot self-contained movie studio was built and the expectation at the time was that rural Galway (Kilchreest) would turn into a mini-Hollywood, a new Ardmore of the West.
Huge 9th-century battle scenes were re-enacted on Castlehackett Hill (near Tuam) with hundreds of UCG students and soldiers from the nearby barracks in Renmore as extras. - Yours, etc,
MARY J MURPHY, Ashmore House, Carnmore, Oranmore, Co Galway. morma@eircom.net