"Being able to walk to the beach and take in County Clare and the Aran Islands and on a clear day, Kerry, I count myself lucky," says actor Conall Ó Céidigh. "I don't think I could handle being in a town or city."
Like 9/11, everyone remembers the moment and where they were when Leo announced in March 2020 that the country would be going into Lockdown. Roll on almost a year later, and new Taoiseach, new lockdown, same old story. Lockdown 3.0 is in full affect.
When the first lockdown hit in March of 2020, luckily Ros na Rún had already wrapped for the year. I was one of the lucky ones, as well as portraying the ever lovable Rory, I also work for a company called Clubforce. So at least, I had something to fall back on.
For the first two to three weeks I was kept very, very busy. Clubforce work with GAA, FAI, IRFU Clubs from all around Europe. Clubs, like so many businesses, were also feeling the pinch of the pandemic, so they were looking for additional fundraising ideas, and being internet-based, we were the perfect fit.
We are currently filming Season 25 of Ros na Rún. It's hard to believe that we are celebrating its Silver Anniversary this year. It certainly is a different vibe on set, now with social distancing being a huge factor. It took a bit of getting used to, but I must say everyone has complied with the rules and has been extra careful, both on set and at home. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we are still filming today, although I do miss the fun we all used to have in the Green Room.
Now with restrictions as they are, we have Browns, Greens, Purples, and White rooms and we are all kept safe and sound and socially distanced. My hands have never been as clean in their lives. They have had more alcohol than I’ve had for the last year, that’s for sure. If Ros na Rún’s local Guard, Tony could test my hands, I’m sure they would be twice over the legal limit!
I still live with my parents at home, so I am the designated shopper and go-to guy, as my parents are cocooning. You also might remember the beloved character Sarah from Ros na Rún. Well, Bairbre Hergett, who plays her is my aunt. So twice a week, I will also check in with her to see if she needs anything, or knowing her, she’ll tell me what I need, if anything.
This Christmas was certainly a first for me. My family and I and my dad’s sisters, cousins etc. all usually have Christmas Dinner together. It’s an Ó Céidigh family tradition. We laugh, we argue, we reminisce, we drink, we eat, and we exchange gifts. This year for the first time, we had none of that. We had dinner alone at home. No turkey, but a nice rib eye steak did the trick. It was nice to spend Christmas at home but I did miss everyone. The only down side really was that I was on dishes duty!
I count myself very lucky. I live on the beautiful Cois Fharraige coastline in Co. Galway, on what’s now called the Wild Atlantic Way. It certainly is wild, but beautiful non the less. Being able to walk to the beach and take in County Clare and the Aran Islands and on a clear day, Kerry, I count myself lucky. I don’t think I could handle being in a town or city.
There was a time when all this was taken for granted, but now with the 5km bubble I am in, it gives me time to look up, take it all in and appreciate where I am. I’m a country boy! I also found early on that routine and exercise was a key for me.
I'd get up each morning and take a shower, get dressed as if I was going to the office or on set. Even though I wasn’t leaving the house it was important for me to keep that routine. Although a few lazy mornings were had here and there at the start, I quickly realized I needed that routine to keep me sane.
When allowed pre-Christmas, I'd also take a drive Connemara way. I’d make an hour loop, up the Moycullen/Spiddal road, left to Maam Cross, and back down again. Another beautiful drive. I found a nice few walks along the way too, and I had my 'wing man' Collins with me every step of the way.
As everyone on set knows, my dog is somewhat a bigger deal than I am. I rarely get a hello anymore, it's more "How’s Collins?" Collins (AKA General Michael Collins) @collinsthebulldog on Instagram (shameless plug) has a cult following of his own.
He has close to 19K followers at the moment, so I used to document our walks, and hopefully put a smile on someone’s face by sharing the beautiful Cois Fharraige coastline with the world. I have made a lot of friends though his account from all over Ireland and the world. We regularly have Zoom chats and chat as normal friends would.
We were a support bubble of sorts online. Good people from all over the world sharing their own stories and troubles. It was nice to have that connection with the outside world, even if it was through a computer screen. We are all going through this together. Ar scáth a cheile a mhaireann na daoine.
Netflix has also been a god send. Who hasn’t seen Tiger King!? I do love my documentaries. I also found a gem called Don’t F**k with Cats. Not for the faint of heart, but great watching nonetheless. In 2018, I also had the privilege to work on a movie called Arracht. It gave me the chance to work with a lot of great actors and friends.
Under the excellent direction of Tom Sullivan, Arracht has received a lot of prizes worldwide this year. This year it has won Scannán na Bliana at Oireachtas na Samhna and two IFTAs among other festival awards. It has also been shown at festivals worldwide.
Last November, it was announced that Arracht would also be Ireland's entry for the 2021 Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category. We are absolutely thrilled, and I am so privileged to have been asked to work on it.
Conall Ó Céidigh plays Rory Keane in the TG4 drama series Ros na Rún, Tuesday and Thursday, 8.30pm, TG4 with an omnibus on Sunday at 7.30pm
