FUNDING

We've already received an outpouring of support here in Ballyvaughan and a generous initial investment in our film! But now we need your help to raise just a bit more. These funds will be used to ensure cast, crew, and our venue receive appropriate compensation for their time. If we reach our goal, or beyond, we will also be able to set aside funds for post-production, promotion, and distribution. 

I know budgets are tight at the moment, but every little bit helps. This film is a labor of love for all involved, and your support means the world. 

If you are unable to donate financially, please spread the word about our campaign!

CAST AND CREW

MICHAEL CURRAN-DORSANO

Writer/Director

BIOGRAPHY

Originally from Minneapolis, MN, Michael is a graduate of the Juilliard School’s Drama Division. His Acting Credits include: 5 seasons on TNT’s THE LAST SHIP, leads at the Guthrie Theater, and narrating over a dozen audiobooks for Harper Collins. He cofounded independent soundstage Cinema Collaboratorium, where he produced and created indie films, commercials, plays, and music videos.  A graduate of NUIG's MA in Writing program, he now resides in Ballyvaughan, Clare, where he continues to write, direct, and act.

WRITER/DIRECTOR'S NOTE

Blending banter, stories, poetry, dance and song, CROI NA MARA is a haunting, theatrically inspired, and intimate film. It explores key questions around love, divinity, and self-hood. 

Who am I? What do I believe? Why do I believe it?

What does it mean to be vulnerable and to love unconditionally? 

How do I deal with my pain and my fear? 

How do I hold space for others?

How do I break the cycles of the past?

How do I deal with the unknown? 

For many men, these were new questions brought on by the pressures of the Pandemic. There is a culture of silence around men’s mental health, and that culture has contributed greatly to the increased rates of suicide, addiction and aggression. It’s imperative now, more than ever, to shine a light on the mental health challenges men face in honest, creative and compassionate ways. My hope is that these challenging times can help us grow as people and show us what’s really important in our lives. 

CAST
 

LIAM BURKE                           

Liam Burke is a veteran stage actor whose theatre credits include highly acclaimed Silver Stars (Brokentalkers) which toured internationally in New York, Paris, Auckland and Finland, Hamm in End Game, Kerstin Bernick in Pillars of Society, David in Kilt and various roles in Andrews Lane Production of Harold Pinters Party Time and Precisely. Some of his Film and T.V roles include This Day, directed by Pat Kenny, City Of Ember with Tom Hanks, The Easter Seven (TG4) and Dare To Be Wild, directed by Vivienne DeCourcy.

MADI O'CARROLL

Madi’s theatre credits include the National Tour of Dubliners Women (The Lyric Theatre, Belfast) and MOOP by Game Theory (Dublin Fringe Festival), nominated for Best Ensemble at Fringe 2019,The Everyman Palace (Cork Midsummer Festival), and Humans: A Robot Musical, Recent screen work includes Harry Wild (Acorn TV), Bad Boy Buck (Fís Eireann, Failsafe Films), You Are Not My Mother written and directed by Kate Dolan (Fantastic Films, 6-IFTA nominations), and Frank of Ireland (Channel 4/Amazon).  

COLIN BATES                               

Colin Bates is a British-American actor, and a graduate of The Juiilliard School. He is an actor, dancer, and singer best known for playing the title role in Stephen Daldry’s Billy Elliot the Musical (West End).  Other theater credits include Tony Award winner David Cromer’s Off Broadway production of The Effect, as well as Tony Nominated Musical Girl From the North Country. Colin’s Film and TV credits include the film The Prayer (Berlin International Film Festival Silver Bear winner), and roles on shows such asThe Blacklist, American Rust, and FBI: Most Wanted.

LUKE CORCORON

Luke Corcoran is an award-winning playwright, director, screenwriter and actor.  He trained at The Gaiety School, The Irish Film Academy, and Momentum Acting Studios. Writer/Director Credits include comedy horror feature film POPPY LOFTUS (2022) and the Black Comedy feature film TUESDAY TRADERS (2023). He is the founder of the PURGATORY; ARCHAIC short play series that toured around the country and was later self-published in 2021, as well as The FIRESIDE MONOLOGUE CHALLENGE 2020 which matches established and new Irish talent in both writing and acting. He collaborated with Brendan Grace for his screenplay “THE SPIRIT OF PATRICK”, and Blue Box productions for his original screenplay “THE KINGDOM”, 

TROY HEWITT

Troy is a professional actor, writer and development producer. He trained in Drama at Bath Spa University and at the New York Film Academy in Manhattan. He subsequently received a Masters degree from Birkbeck, University of London. He is a regular on the London comedy circuit and has taken his award-winning sketch show to the Edinburgh Fringe. His Film and TV credits include a lead role in upcoming indie drama The King Of, as well as supporting roles in supernatural thriller Pinky and BBC's Danny and The Human Zoo. He is a co-founder of Pendragon Works, a creative development company based out of London.

DAITHI HARRISON               

Daithi trained as an actor in CSN Cork. His Film and TV credits include a main role in upcoming feature film Tuesday Traders (Big Bay Ent.), the documentary series Crash Scene Investigates (Loose Horse), and leads in various short films including Any Other Morning, directed by Mark O'Connor, Diva and The Soundman by Emma Coleman, and Coast Watchers by Sam O'Neil. He has worked behind the camera, line producing two feature films Poppy Loftus, and Tuesday Traders (Big Bay Ent.), and is currently working on his memoir chronicling his three-year adventure across the world.