‘Quiet Man’ enthusiasts will know that the film had its world premiere in Dublin at the Adelphi Cinema on June 6th 1952.

We have raised the issue of ‘The Quiet Man’ being dubbed in Irish in previous editions. We are glad to report that plans are now underway to allow this to finally happen.

The film has been translated into 12 languages including French, German, Russian and Japanese. ‘Quiet Man’ Movie Club spokesman Des McHale said: “If John Wayne can speak in German and Japanese, then why not in Irish.”

‘The Quiet Man’ Movie Club, which has 200 members worldwide, has lined up native Gaelic actors to speak the lines of screen legends John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara.

Irish language agencies Foras na Gaeilge and Údarás na Gaeltachta are ready to fund the project in conjunction with TG4 and independent production company Telegael. However, permission must be sought from Paramount Pictures, which owns the rights to the Oscar-winning film.

Maureen O’Hara revealed in her autobiography ‘Tis Herself’ that when on set with director John Ford they played a prank on the rest of the cast by speaking in gibberish, that somehow resembled Irish. I’m sure there were a lot of shah’s and nihah’s thrown in for good measure, along with lashings of laughter.

The shopfront exterior that was used for Pat Cohan’s bar was merely a small grocery shop that has stunned many tourists down through the years, when they come to visit Cong. All of the movie’s interior scenes were filmed in Hollywood. A new owner purchased it and has vowed to make it into a similar bar to the one in the film, provided his planning permission to do so is granted.

The thatched cottage named ‘White O’Morn’ that Sean Thornton bought back from the Widow Tillane is also in ruins and has been for many years. It was purchased by a wealthy Californian nearly twenty-one years ago while he was over on a ‘Quiet Man’ tour.

The small cottage came along with twelve acres of land overlooking the sea. All that remains standing now is a gable wall while the rest of the house is almost rubble. Many stones have been taken down through the years as souvenirs by fans.

‘Quiet Man’ enthusiasts come in tens of thousands each year and see two replicas of ‘White O’Morn’. One is in Cong and the other at Maam Cross, but only a few really keen, intrepid buffs manage to visit the original that lies down at the end of a muddy track.

This is fifteen miles west of Cong with not one single signpost to show the way. Hedgerows are densely overgrown and each winter’s inclement weather leaves the land a dangerous quagmire. Paddy Rock, Cong’s most enthusiastic ‘Quiet Man’ fan and tour guide says: “We don’t want the original cottage to be lost, it is a very important part of our culture.”

Why not a grant from the National Lottery? It would only be a miniscule amount for them and would go to a very worthwhile and deserving cause. It would state quite clearly and categorically to the world that we really do care about what deserves to be a listed dwelling and part of our proud Irish heritage.

Left: Pat Cohan’s pub.

Above: Maureen O’Hara and John Wayne outside the original cottage. Also shown are Maureen’s brothers, from left, James and Charles.