New film hails Claddagh’s King!
A new short film on the ‘King of the Claddagh’ was released last week, coinciding with the title-holder Michael Lynskey’s 91st birthday.
The film, made by Greendog Productions, examines the origins of the historic role and features an interview with Michael who reflects on his life on Upper Fairhill Road and shows, despite his advancing years, Michael is still able to crack a joke with the best of them.
With writing from Peadar O’Dowd and narration by Margaretta D’Arcy, the mini-documentary was directed, shot and edited by David Souto. Michael’s son Pat explains that it was the King of the Claddagh that introduced the Spanish filmmaker to Galway Bay.
“David is the director and the connection there was that when he came over here first, a good few years ago, he came down to the Quay and dad was there in the boat – and they got talking.
“He asked David if he liked the sea and offered to take him out, so he gave him an introduction to Galway Bay, and he fell in love with it,” says Pat.
The film shows Michael being interviewed at his nursing home where he jokes about his confusion as to how he was bestowed with the King title.
“When I was young, I knew the old man who was the King – it’s an old, old title and I used to say jokingly, ‘someday, I’ll be the King. I’ll give it a go’,” he laughs.
Now in the nursing home at Merlin Park, Pat says his dad is in ‘great form’ and had a bit of an improved celebration for his 91st birthday – his 90th having passed in the midst of lockdown last year.
“I’m hoping I’ll be able to start bringing him out for spins again soon. The Covid restrictions, up to a month ago, meant I was the only one who could visit him for a long time, and only for 15 minutes at a time,” says Pat.
Last year, Pat’s three children – Evan, Nathan and Leanne – and his wife Mary had to wave from outside the door because of the restrictions, but things felt a bit more like normal this year.
A well-known character in the Claddagh, Michael spent the first 89 years of his life with the same address on Fairhill Road.
As a young man, he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the British Army to travel the world before ending up in London where he drove a red bus for nine years.
Michael and his wife, Annie, had their first child, Seán, while in London but returned home when he was just six months old.
His wife Annie died ten years ago, while they lost their son Mikey to cancer when he was just 44.
To view the film, search The King of the Claddagh on YouTube.