Declan Lynch, founder and director of the Scéal Eile: Irish Film Festival Belgium, introduces one of the highlights of this year's festival - the new Irish language horror feature An Taibhse.
This isn't John Farrelly’s first rodeo—or horror movie, for that matter. His debut feature, The Sleep Experiment, delivered a chilling insomniac treat to audiences. With An Taibhse, he returns to the genre, staking a claim with Ireland’s first Irish-language horror feature. It’s a moment. Watch this space.
Set in the bleak aftermath of the Great Famine, An Taibhse follows Éamon and his daughter, Máire, who have been tasked with caring for a remote Georgian mansion. They arrive at night, guided only by lamplight—and we’re off. The film wastes no time with setup. It’s unsettling from the start. Full credit to Ally Donald and Tom Kerrisk for the haunting score—Kerrisk also shares the lead role.
As Éamon and Máire settle into their eerie new surroundings, the house itself becomes a central character. Beautifully shot and atmospherically rich, it helps ground the story in both space and mood. The pacing is tight. Through the curious eyes of young Máire—played by Livvy Hill in a standout performance—we see not only the beauty of the place (especially in daylight), but slowly, almost imperceptibly, how that beauty can turn oppressive.
An Taibhse brims with character and ambition. Its elevation to general release in Irish cinemas is a testament to its quality. Now in its second week of national release, the film is beginning to creep across borders. One of its next stops: Scéal Eile: Irish Film Festival Belgium, where it will close the festival later this month.
"It’s an honour to screen the film in Ireland and abroad," says Farrelly. "It’s one thing for the film to find an audience at home, but it’s another to see it take flight internationally. We really can’t wait to find out what audiences think."
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Director John Farrelly talks An Taibhse to Ray D'Arcy
When asked about how the Irish language might affect audience reception, Farrelly is clear: "I feel like the Irish language immerses the audience in the story world of post-Famine Ireland." He’s not wrong. The dialogue is lean and effective, but the film’s power lies in its characters and visuals. It’s horror in the best tradition—atmospheric, psychological, and deeply human.
"This film shows the power and richness of our language, and the strength of the human spirit in the face of horror. We’re proud to have made an Irish-language feature and excited to see more and more of them being produced," Farrelly adds.
Amazingly, the project began as a university assignment and was independently made on a shoestring budget of just €3,000. Clearly a labor of twisted love, Farrelly led post-production over two years. Time well spent: the film punches far above its budget.
For aspiring filmmakers, it’s an inspiring watch. A limited budget, a clear vision, and a lot of talent (courtesy of Jackpot Films) can go a long way. One of the film’s key lines, Ná bíodh eagla ort ("Don’t be afraid"), might well become a motto for the next generation of Irish-language horror filmmakers. Audiences, meanwhile, get to reap the rewards.
There’s a Venn diagram that probably doesn’t exist: three circles—horror fans, Belgians, and Gaeilgeoirí living in Belgium. It’s fun to wonder whether anyone attending the Belgian screening of An Taibhse will sit at the intersection of all three.
An Taibhse closes Scéal Eile: Irish Film Festival Belgium 2025, screening this Saturday at 9:20pm at Cinema Aventure, Brussels - find out more here.
