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Watch: The tale of Ireland's bobsleigh team is coming to the big screen

Jason Branagan’s first documentary feature charts the unorthodox push to bring Ireland to the Winter Olympics.

NOBODY SAY Cúl Runnings, but this month’s Galway Film Fleadh will feature a documentary on the unsung Irish bobsleigh team who brought Ireland to the Winter Olympics.

Liberty Video / YouTube

‘Breaking Ice’ brings an essential Irish sporting story, charting the track and field-turned-bobsleigh competitors’ efforts to qualify for the 1988 Games in Calgary. However, thanks to administrative and political tethers they were unable to compete and had to wait until the 1992 Games in Albertville to arrive on the big stage.

“I found parallels in what (the athletes) had to go through to make it to the Olympics and what indie filmmakers go through when trying to make films… It took us two years to make this film off our own bat,” said director Jason Branagan.

With eye-catching animation alongside interviews with the people at the heart of the tale, Branagan’s first documentary feature will premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh running from 7 – 12 July.

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    Mute JR Lewis
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    May 3rd 2020, 1:11 PM

    Less used back roads around towns should be closed off to traffic, to encourage walkers and cyclists to exercise while respecting social distancing guidelines.

    This should become a permanent arrangement.

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    Mute Frank O'Mahony
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    May 3rd 2020, 5:07 PM

    @JR Lewis: what about the people who live and work on those roads? Should tractors and local traffic be diverted too?

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    Mute seanmccann
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    May 3rd 2020, 1:56 PM

    I would love to but the parks and walks are closed due to covid19.

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