Northcore’s latest film was conceived as part of their Talking Story project, and through a book, film, still images, and interviews they set about capturing some of the most inspirational stories and characters. The story which inspired Northcore to make this new short film Samhain (pronounced “sah-win”), set in County Clare, West Ireland, is about a group of friends and surfers who take on everything the Atlantic can throw at their coast. Peter Conroy, Seamus O’Riain, and Fionan Cronin hold down regular jobs, and other than the waves they surf, they lead regular lives. These are the men who ride Ireland’s heaviest winter surf, often completely on their own and without cameras—for the fun and camaraderie, not for the glory.
Pete, Seamus, and Fionan epitomize surfing and big-wave riding in County Clare and Western Ireland, not for the number of cover shots they get, but for what they contribute to the local surf community. Surfer and firefighter Peter Conroy initiated a project to raise money for first aid kits and defibrillators to be stationed at the heaviest spots in Ireland for anyone in need. With the help of lifeguards, Seamus O’Riain and Fionan Cronin offer free jet ski rescue and first aid training for other big-wave riders (or for anyone who needs to acquire those skills). They also established a County Clare-based jet ski rescue club. These surfers are setting the bar for big-wave safety and community building in Ireland—this is what makes Samhain so special.
The filming for Samhain took place over two days on Ireland’s wild Atlantic Coast at a number of locations, but primarily at the rarely working, heaving, and downright dangerous slab called Lauren’s, which is at the foot of the 700-foot-high Cliffs of Moher. During the filming, the wind was offshore, the surf was classic, and the sun cast everything in a golden light. It felt like summer’s end. Days later, winter took hold, and the cold grey returned.
Samhain is Gaelic for “summer’s end.” It’s a celebration of the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, or the “darker half” of the year. It seemed like a fitting name for the sessions which were documented during two perfect days of surf in mid-November of 2015.
Samhain- A Northcore Film from Northcore on Vimeo.
