A well-known Laois radio DJ has co-directed a moving short film that highlights the kindness of nurses in the last hours of palliative care.

Former Midlands 103 host Ann-Marie Kelly has teamed up with fellow Abbeyleix native Cabrini Cahill to co-direct their new short film 'Poulastore'.

The film is based off a short story written by co-director Cabrini Cahill, inspired by the experiences of palliative care nurse Sharon O'Brien. Ms O'Brien plays nurse Sorcha Bracken in the film, which is her first acting role.

She stars alongside Fair City actor Charlie Hughes as John O'Hanlon, a man seeking comfort and conversation while he faces the final hours of his life.

Pictured: Charlie Hughes starring in Poulastore

The film is named after Poulastore cave at Kilone Hill in The Heath, and was shot across several Laois locations.

"Art is great for showing an audience how they might react to a situation, Poulastore is giving us that moment to think about who we have around us. What have we done in our lives, what have we not done?" co-director Ann-Marie Kelly told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"It's a relationship based on the kindness of a stranger, the best thing any human can can do. Allowing someone to be a human being for their last couple of hours.

"That value isn't given to nurses across the world, they aren't recognised enough for how they hold someone's hand at the end of their life, how they so carefully wash them and take care of them.

"We all want that love and care at the end of our lives, that is what I wanted from the film. We will all go through it ourselves, and will have someone belonging to us who will die, and we'd like to think that we are not on our own," she said.

Above: a sneak peek of Poulastore, starring Charlie Hughes and Sharon O'Brien, co-directed by Cabrini Cahill and Ann-Marie Kelly, produced by Mark de Carreau.

Ms Kelly approached Ms Cahill to turn her short story into a short film, and the pair teamed up to source a film crew. They applied for Laois County Council's short film grant, and were awarded it.

"I knew a few people in the industry but not many, and we wanted the film to look good. We were looking for a crew that knew what they were doing," Ms Kelly explained.

"We found Sean Weiss from Portarlington, he's in the film industry and he's very good. He put us in touch with producer Mark de Carreau, who helped us find our soundman. It all came together very well, we all had a similar vision," she said.

The film was shot in several locations, including Abbeyleix's Meuller and O'Connell's and the home of Stradbally brewer David Walsh-Kemmis. Ms Kelly praised those involved for their enthusiasm and kindness in the production of this film.

Pictured: Poulastore cast and crew on set

"We knew that David's home is very timeless and could be set in any era, his house is incredible. David was so lovely and kind, he allowed us to throw the family out of the house for two days to film!" Ann-Marie laughed.

"For health and safety reasons there were caves we couldn't film in, so we shot scenes in Dunmore cave in Kilkenny. Wellington Da Silva of Meuller and O'Connell was very obliging with us in allowing us to shoot there, he has a cameo in the film too!" she said.

It was a chance encounter that lead to actor Charlie Hughes starring in this film. As Ms Cahill had written the original story based on Ms O'Brien, the crew knew that no other actress would do the character justice.

"I was working one day and I heard a voice next door, when I asked who it belonged to, my workmate said 'that's Charlie, an actor.' I thought he had a fantastic voice, so I popped next door and asked him to audition for our short film," she laughed.

Pictured: Cabrini Cahill, Charlie Hughes, Sharon O'Brien and Ann-Marie Kelly on set

"We were a bit concerned over him being too young, but we had a brilliant makeup artist and he got into the role very well. The story was based off Sharon's experiences, so Cabrini asked the real Sharon O'Brien to take the role, she was fantastic," Ann-Marie praised.

"We shot the film beginning to end, it was a really special set. It's a very sad film, and it all felt very sacred. We were all very tight together in a room and went through the emotions with the actors," she said.

The film will premiere in Portlaoise's Dunamaise Arts Centre on February 7, and the cast and crew are looking forward to it.

"I'm not a very 'showy-offy', I'm not good with praise. I find it hard to sit there and hear it, I would rather hide away, but if Poulastore helps any person take something away emotionally, or on getting a grant and making a film, I would be delighted," Ms Kelly said.

"It has happened a few times where someone has come back and said that my documentaries have helped them, and I'm excited about that. 

Pictured: Shooting on Kilone Hill, The Heath.

"If it happens on the night that someone can share how they feel, I'd look forward to that part. I always get a bit nervous around showing off my work- it's a vulnerable thing to do, it feels a bit like you're showing off your underwear," Ann-Marie laughed.

"So many people can be rude, these days people don't think and they have no filter. We're all very fragile, which is a fact that made this film even better- showing those unseen hours that you think nobody can see. Seeing that everybody has to die, and thinking, 'I really hope someone will hold my hand'".

While audiences may walk away with a new appreciation for selfless acts of kindness, the co-director experienced her own revelations through the production of the film.

"I think Poulastore is a start for me to believe that I can make films. I've made documentaries throughout my career, and I had a realisation that if you have a great crew, and with good stories and good actresses, you can do anything," she said.

"If you put so much of your heart and soul into it, it is damaging but so worth it. If you come out with something that tells a story that is uncomfortable, it makes me very happy. They're the best ones," the DJ explained.

"Changing a mood is a hard thing to do for an audience, and changing a mood or perspective on something is always my goal. If you can change someone's mind it's a success, that's how I measure that film. I learned a lot more about myself and working with people," she said.

Pictured: The crew filming at Ballykilcavan 

Ms Kelly said one of the highlights of making this film was seeing how helpful Laois locals can be.

"We never came across people that said no, whether it's making food or lifting boxes, standing in on the set or driving around. I found that people wanted to make something good, maybe that's an energy around production," she mused. 

"People do want to help it, especially in Laois. I think they like to see that Laois can get some attention, there was a lot of good will around it and positive energy," Ms Kelly finished.

Join the cast and crew for the screening of Poulastore at the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Saturday February 7 at 8pm. Tickets are available here.

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