Old friends were re-united when President Michael D. Higgins and cultural trailblazer Lelia Doolan were on hand to honour filmmaker Bob Quinn for his remarkable contribution to Irish cinema at the weekend.

The occasion was a Galway UNESCO City of Film celebration to honour the acclaimed filmmaker’s groundbreaking work which has had such a profound influence on Irish cinema.

The centrepoint of the event was the presentation of the Ceantar Scannán Award to Bob Quinn by two distinguished guests – President Michael D. Higgins, a devoted champion of the arts, and renowned filmmaker and producer Lelia Doolan.

This award honours Bob Quinn’s immense contributions to Irish cinema, particularly his influential work in the West of Ireland, which has been pivotal in shaping Galway’s identity as a vibrant creative hub for film.

Renowned for his bold, innovative storytelling, Bob Quinn has been a central figure in Irish filmmaking, with a particular focus on the people, landscapes, and traditions of the West of Ireland.

His body of work, spanning fiction, documentaries, and experimental films, consistently pushes the boundaries of Irish cinema.

Quinn’s influence reaches far beyond the screen. His films delve into themes of identity, language, and culture, often centering on Ireland’s Gaelic traditions.

Works like ‘Cinegael Paradiso’ and ‘Atlantean’ showcase his distinctive vision, blending documentary techniques with creative narratives.

These films not only highlight his deep ties to the West but also offer a unique and insightful perspective on Ireland’s rich cultural heritage.

The event brought together key figures from the arts community to celebrate Bob’s pioneering work, particularly his focus on the West of Ireland and his groundbreaking use of the Irish language in film.

President Higgins delivered an inspiring speech, highlighting his old friend Bob Quinn’s influence on Irish culture and film – and there was a special screening of Quinn’s remastered Poitín, with new music from Bill Whelan, which was praised for its historical and cinematic significance.

The event began with a reception at the Pálás Cinema bar, where guests viewed a presentation on the history of Galway as a City of Film – a history that spans back as far as 1898.

The award ceremony featured speeches from Ardán CEO and Galway City of Film Director Alan Duggan, Lelia Doolan, and ATU Head of Celine Curtin, before Quinn accepted the City of Film Award.

Both President Higgins and Lelia Doolan were previous recipients of the Galway City of Film award, in 2015 and in 2019 respectively, alongside the late Máire Ní Thuathail, who was privately honoured in 2016 for her work as a producer in Irish language television.

Alan Duggan, Ardán CEO and Galway City of Film Director, said that the event brought to mind ‘the legends of film and television who cultivated and crafted this creative field in the West of Ireland’.

“It also brings to mind the incredible advocates of the talent and industry based in the region through the years, and the talented filmmakers from all walks of life who continue to find and share their voice through this unique designation and its support schemes and collaborations,” he added.

Pictured: President Michael D. Higgins and Sabina Higgins with Honouree Bob Quinn (fourth from left) joined by (from left) Lelia Doolan; Alan Duggan of Ardán/ Galway City of Film; Declan Gibbons, (formerly Galway Film Centre; Miriam Allen, Galway Film Fleadh; actress Kate O’Toole; Toner Quinn, and Celine Curtin, formerly of the Galway Film Centre, at the Galway UNESCO City of Film tenth anniversary gathering in the Pálás Cinema.