'Is this the band then? Betcha U2 are sh***in’ themselves.’
Almost 30 years ago, the world was introduced to the "World's Hardest Working Band" and while they didn't quite get to meet Wilson Pickett, they did create an Irish classic that still stands the test of time.
This Sunday marks the very first episode in Back To Barrytown, the first of the new RTÉ One series about the much-loved Barrytown trilogy.
Airing on Sunday night at 9.30 pm on RTE1, viewers will revisit Alan Parker's beloved film, The Commitments.
Hosted by Colm Meaney, the documentary explores the story behind Roddy Doyle’s self-published book that brought Hollywood to town and created a cultural phenomenon. Through interviews with cast, crew and Roddy himself, Mr Jimmy Rabbitte Sr-himself will take us on a nostalgic journey around a film that still holds a key place in the hearts of Irish people 30 years after its release.
Back to Barrytown is a series of three documentaries that, over the next three Sundays, will focus on the stories, themes and characters of each of the three books - The Commitments, The Snapper, and the Van - capturing the daydreams of escape and prosperity, and the down to earth realities of family, friendship and community.
The series will feature many of the well-known and some of the not so well-known cast and crew from the film trilogy including Glen Hansard, Brendan O’Carroll, Angeline Ball, Robert Arkins, Tina Kellegher, Ruth Mc Cabe, Mark Geraghty, Stephen Frears, John and Ros Hubbard, and many more.
And for a further nostalgia trip, RTÉ One will air the film The Commitments on Saturday 22 May (following the Eurovision Final) and The Snapper on Saturday 29 May at 9.30pm.
