Film by KJ McDonald about Irish culture to be viewed Sat., March 20

WATERTOWN, MN – The film “An Irish Holiday,” a professional film by KJ McDonald of Watertown, will be unveiled during a public viewing Saturday, March 20.

At the first and only public showing at 2 p.m., Sat., March 20, viewers may be seated alongside nine local travelers (the McDonald clan and friends of Watertown) as they explore Ireland’s renowned idyllic countryside, rugged coastline, ancient monuments and castles.

Patrons may join in the rural traditions for Irish music, literature, language, culture, and, of course, religion, as they follow the footsteps of St. Patrick himself, and how he brought the teachings of Christ to fourth century AD pagan Ireland.
The video production will be presented at the Watertown-Mayer Performing Arts Center at the Watertown High School, 1001 Highway 25, by the Watertown Historical Society and Watertown-Mayer Community Education. And as always, one needn’t be Irish to enjoy this movie, which is being shown free. More information is available by calling (952) 955-1623.

What makes this film so special is how it transports observers into Ireland’s evocative scenery and landscapes that have spawned legends. It provides opportunities to stop and experience the warmth and friendliness of the Irish people with scenes that permeate and give viewers a ten-day stay in the Emerald Isle, including:

Waking up to one of the most spectacular views of the majestic cliffs Mohr, and, O’Brien’s tower, built by a descendent of the ancient high king of Ireland. Then drive the winding Burren countryside crossed with stone fences, stopping to experience the Dolmen and Portal tombs, the ancient memorial built in the 4th millennium, B.C. and the LaGrange the oldest tomb in the world, built in 6000 B.C.
To Kilmacduagh with the Temple Mary, and the relics of the church of St. John the Baptist, where St. Patrick’s teaching and love for learning took root, as just one of the places where “the isle of saints and scholars” labored to preserve Western culture while Europe was being overrun by barbarians. McDonald’s narration takes us through this history and so much more.
Explore Corafin, Limerick and other cities to enjoy the shops and trades people, such as the butcher whose slogan is “Pleased to meet you and meat to please you.”  There are the brightly colored doors of the row houses, the impressive gothic style architecture of the Cathedrals, Abbeys and mediaeval churches, and a few splendid old-world thatched cottages beautifully photographed by the professional hands of K.J. and Joe McDonald. Combined, the two have nearly 75 years of experience in professional photography.

Make a day trip on a circuit on the winding roads that lead you between the Atlantic coastline and the highest mountains in Ireland. Alternatively visit the wild splendor of the Dingle peninsula famous for its hills, rocky shores, subtropical flower gardens and pastures covered with beautiful green grass and grazing sheep.

Blarney Castle is only minutes away for those who feel the need to kiss the Blarney Stone and acquire the “gift of the gab” (the ability that all Irish possess to speak at length on any subject under the sun!) and then view the Irish goods at the Blarney Woollen Mills.

When the sun is shining and days near perfect, the sites are breathtaking, but people sure don’t come to Ireland for the weather, so when the rain is beating down its easy to find solace in a quiet corner beside a roaring fire or a riotous afternoon enjoying the “craic” (Gaelic, with the closest English translation being “music and fun”) in a local pub. Besides, on the Emerald Isle, it’s the rain that makes the grass so green.

This is the sixth historical documentary McDonald has produced; the latest was the film “A Dream Come True” the story of the Lions trip for 117 World War II vets to the Washington D.C. Veterans memorial. It was seen by nearly 2,000 people.