Youghal Connections

Friday March 7th, 7pm, The Regal Screen 1

Premiére Youghal Screening of TG4’s Na Lumière Gaelacha and Q&A with Director/Producer Darina Clancy

Join us for an engaging evening with acclaimed producer and director Darina Clancy, whose career in Irish media has garnered critical acclaim and multiple award nominations. As the Creative and Managing Director of Cormorant Films, Darina has delivered exceptional storytelling through documentaries such as Cois Móire and the series Hollywood in Éirinn.

This year’s Youghal Connections spotlights particularly two documentaries, An Cliath Oilimpeach and Na Lumière Gaelacha, both examples of exceptional storytelling and deeply connected to Youghal.

An Cliath Oilimpeach follows the journey of 400m hurdler Diarmuid Clancy as he strives to compete in the Olympic Games, highlighting the challenges and dedication required to reach the pinnacle of athletic achievement.

Darina’s most recent work Na Lumière Gaelacha is a beautifully crafted film which delves into the lives of Youghal’s Horgan brothers—James, Thomas, and Philip—who emerged from early 20th-century poverty to become pioneers in Irish photography, cinema, and animation. Featuring local talent from Brideview Drama Club, Youghal Musical Society, The Killeagh Monday Club, and other entertainers, the documentary showcases the rich cultural heritage of East Cork and West Waterford. Funded by TG4, Coimisiún na Meán, Cork County Council, Youghal Credit Union, and UCC, Na Lumière Gaelacha stands as a testament to regional collaboration in filmmaking.

Tonight, Darina will share insights into her journey as a director and producer, the inspirations behind her work, and her experiences in bringing this remarkable story to the screen.

Darina Clancy is the Managing and Creative Director of Cormorant Films, a production company with a focus on creating powerful, human-centred stories. With nearly 30 years of experience in factual television across all Irish TV channels, Darina has earned multiple nominations for awards, including the IFTAs, RTS, and Oireachtas.

Darina’s work often delves into maritime interests, with a particular focus on the water and the people who navigate its challenges. From producing a 4-hour travel series ‘Cois Moire’ (nominated for Best Factual Series at the RTS Awards 2023) to producing and directing documentaries on Irish fishing and the Irish Coast Guard, her storytelling highlights human connections to the water and the often heart breaking yet resilient stories of those who work in maritime industries.

Her passion for unexpected narratives is demonstrated with projects like An Cliath Oilimpeach (January 2025), and the true crime series Marú ina Measc and Missing (2024), all of which aired on TG4.

Darina is also the author of the forthcoming Mercier Press publication ‘The Horgan Brothers – The Irish Lumières’, a book featuring the photography of the pioneering Horgan brothers.

A graduate in Sound Engineering with distinction, Darina has worked across television, radio, theatre, and corporate video, making her a versatile force in the world of production, she is currently in pre-production of a four part series on the river Suir, Cois Siúire.