''One Sweet Hour'' brings big screen magic to Offaly canal

Offaly has become the latest backdrop for Irish cinema as Edenderry playwright Eugene O’Brien’s feature film, One Sweet Hour, directed by Clara Man, Declan Recks, begins production in the heart of the county.

The film follows Gerry, a traveling performer, as he journeys along the canal shortly after his father’s passing. Along the way, Gerry reconnects with his long-lost brother, Colum, and together they embark on a journey of discovery and reconciliation.

Much of the action unfolds aboard a barge moving along the canal, with additional cameras capturing the scenic views from the canal banks. One key scene is scheduled for Lock 34 on September 26, between 13:30 and 19:30 with a dedicated water safety team on hand to ensure filming runs smoothly.

In addition to the canal scenes, the production will include a moving action sequence featuring a squad car along the Greenway. An Garda Síochána has been asked for assistance and Offaly County Council has granted the necessary permissions. Residents nearby have received advance notice through a letter drop.

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Taissa Grisi of Sweet Hour Productions reassured locals: ''The Greenway will remain open, but the Gardai may ask people to pause while scenes are being filmed. We greatly appreciate the goodwill and support of the communities where we film and thank you in advance for your cooperation.''

Offaly has long been a popular location for high-profile productions, including the Netflix hit series Wednesday and films such as Becoming Jane, Garage, Eden, Pure Mule, and Nightingale Falling. Iconic locations like Charleville Castle continue to attract filmmakers from around the world.