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WATCH ‘Once Upon a Time in a Cinema’ premieres at the Royal Cinema as part of Catalyst International Film Festival on April 23

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‘Once Upon a Time in a Cinema’ premieres at the Royal Cinema as part of Catalyst International Film Festival on April 23. Richard Lynch pictured with Director, David Gleeson

Writer/Director David Gleeson filmed ‘Once Upon a Time in a Cinema’ entirely in Limerick city and employed a majority local crew

'Once Upon a Time in a Cinema' premieres at the Royal Cinema as part of Catalyst International Film Festival on April 23
The historic city centre cinema was restored for the production and will now host a gala screening for the movie’s premiere, marking a full-circle moment for David Gleeson. Pic. Brian Arthur

The premiere screening of Limerick writer/director David Gleeson’s ‘Once Upon a Time in a Cinema’ is set to take place at its filming location, Royal Cinema, in Limerick on Thursday, April 23, as part of the Catalyst International Film Festival.

Director David, producer Nathalie Lichtenthaeler, along with members of the cast and crew, are expected to attend the premiere of the film, described as a love letter to the cinema experience, set over one dramatic night in a 1980s Irish cinema.

Filmed entirely in Limerick city and employing a majority local crew, ‘Once Upon a Time in a Cinema’ stars Colin Morgan (Merlin, The Fall, The Boy That Never Was) as the manager of a small-town cinema who struggles to keep the peace on a chaotic Friday night at the pictures. Set in 1980’s Ireland, this feel-good movie is a loving tribute to the cinema experience and also stars Calam Lynch, Niamh Cusack and India Mullen and features Limerick actor Liam O’Brien.


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The historic city centre cinema was restored for the production and will now host a gala screening for the movie’s premiere, marking a full-circle moment for David. Speaking about drawing his inspiration from Limerick, a Cappamore native, David told I Love Limerick, “ The cinema and Cappamore and the cinema in Kilmallock, instead of being allowed to go to nightclubs and discos, I had to work late shows Friday night, Saturday night.

“So this movie draws upon my experiences of 1,001 nights standing around the foyer of a cinema and standing inside watching the same movie over and over again, and all the colourful characters and situations that happen in cinemas. The cinema has profoundly shaped my life, and this film reflects three generations of my family’s experiences. Anyone with fond memories of going to the pictures will find something to laugh or cry about in this film.”

In Limerick for the recent Fresh Film 30-year celebrations, the writer/director said the future of filmmakers in Limerick is bright following a masterclass he held with up-and-coming young filmmakers. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

David has remembered his Limerick roots; having previously filmed in Limerick, his first feature, ‘Cowboys and Angels’, was shot in Limerick City in 2002. David said, “ Limerick was the town where I spent my colourful teenage years, Cowboys and Angels was a story of that time. It’s a small city, but it’s an epic city, and for me it was full of epic emotions and feelings and first loves and everything, so it was a no-brainer to shoot in Limerick.”

In Limerick for the recent Fresh Film 30-year celebrations, the writer/director said the future of filmmakers in Limerick is bright following a masterclass he held with up-and-coming young filmmakers. He said, “ It’s such a privilege. They’re such a great group of young people; they are just so open-minded. I know, looking at them, I’m probably talking to the next head of Screen Ireland, or the next head of RTÉ.

“It’s so important for me to pass on what I have learned to future filmmakers in Limerick. Fresh Film has been supporting young filmmakers for 30 years and Fresh’s annual Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year awards are a huge opportunity and platform for upcoming young filmmakers. I travelled from Los Angeles especially for the event and considered it a huge honour to be asked to give these upcoming talents a masterclass in film history.”

Speaking broadly about Limerick’s future in film with the work of Film in Limerick, Fresh Film, and Troy Studios, noting we may be in a “golden time” of shooting film in Limerick.

He told I Love Limerick, “ At some stage, it might be looked back upon as a golden time. When we were shooting, literally shooting around the corner was Liam Neeson shooting a big Hollywood thriller. I mean, what are the odds? Two movies shooting on the same block! I cannot think of a better place to shoot in Ireland!”

Once Upon a Time in a Cinema will be released nationwide on Friday, May 1, with a US release to follow in July. Catalyst International Film Festival is inviting the public to join them on the red carpet to Limerick’s first screening of Once Upon a Time in a Cinema – in the Royal Cinema, with a waiting list now open for tickets online.

Photos: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
Limerick’s Fresh Film celebrated three decades of showcasing Irish film talent, hosting a weeklong series of national events, screenings, workshops, panels. As part of the Fresh 30 celebrations at ENGINE, Limerick on March 28, 2026, the Youth Cinema Network (YCN) Conference brought over 40 delegates from 13 countries to Limerick and FResh held a master class with director David Gleeson. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

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Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.