*Photograph: John Mangan
THE highly anticipated documentary ‘Blue Road – The Edna O’Brien Story, directed by Sinéad O’Shea, will screen at the Arc Cinema this Saturday (January 31st).
This candid portrait of the celebrated Irish author Edna O’Brien born in Tuamgraney offers a rare glimpse into the life of one of the world’s most charismatic writers.
O’Brien’s groundbreaking books were once banned and burned in her native Ireland, yet she became a prominent figure in London and New York, known for illicit love affairs, glamorous parties, and a career filled with both fortune and loss.
Edna died in 2024, at the age of 94. In the final year of her life, she shared intimate details of her extraordinary journey, offering insight through her personal diaries and a reflective interview with O’Shea. Her diaries are brought to life by Oscar-nominated actress Jessie Buckley, adding another layer of depth to this remarkable story.
The film has already earned critical acclaim, winning Best New Irish Feature at the Cork Film Festival and receiving a nomination for the George Morrison Documentary Award at the 2025 IFTAs.
“Blue Road – The Edna O’Brien Story” is a co-production between SOS Production and Tara Films, with backing from Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Sky, and the UK Global Screen Fund. The documentary is produced by Claire McCabe, Eleanor Emptage, and Sinéad O’Shea, with Katie Holly and Barbara Broccoli serving as Executive Producers.
