ON Saturday, January 13, Halpin’s service station in Newmarket-on-Fergus was transformed into an au- thentic 1990s American gas station, complete with American flags, vintage fuel tanks, and a brand-new sign.
This Hollywood-style makeover was part of the preparations for filming Liam Neeson’s upcoming movie, 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank.
The film, based on a five-issue limited comic book series written by Matt Rosenberg and illustrated by Ty- ler Boss, which was originally released in 2016.
“It wasn’t Halpin’s anymore,” said Lourda, an em- ployee at the garage. “The place was completely un- recognizable.”
Curious locals gathered along the footpath opposite Halpin’s garage to catch a glimpse of the production, and many hoped to spot the iconic Irish actor, Liam Neeson. However, the cast and crew confirmed that Neeson’s scenes were already “done and dusted.”
Since filming began in December 2024, several locations across Limerick and Clare have been transformed into key settings for the film. The local community has been buzzing with excitement as they watch the area serve as the backdrop for Hollywood action.
At a Shannon Municipal District meeting on Tues- day, January 21, the Director of Services for Clare County Council, Allen Farrell highlighted the signif- icant number of local crew members involved in the production. He emphasized that such projects would have lasting economic and cultural benefits for the region.
“The last film of this scale filmed in the Midwest was Angela’s Ashes. Securing an international production like this underscores the Midwest’s growing reputation as a prime film set location,” said Farrell.
While the release date for 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank has yet to be announced, the buzz around the film is already creating excitement in the local community and beyond.
