We begin our evening celebrating the great Bob Quinn with a screening of The Family (dir. Bob Quinn | 27 mins | 1978). This was one of four documentary films – The Other Ways - commissioned in 1978 from Bob Quinn for RTÉ’s brand new second channel, which was intended to be new, daring and different from the jaded RTÉ 1. This film is just that. The Family is a study of the Atlantis community in Donegal, known as the “Screamers” because of their application of Wilhelm Reich therapy techniques. RTÉ 2 deemed it too disturbing and shelved the project, until 14 years later when Lelia Doolan unearthed it from the archive and finally shown on TV.  

After the film, Bob’s son Toner Quinn will be in conversation with his father’s great collaborator, Lelia Doonan, to discuss Bob’s career. Bob Quinn started out as a television producer in the 1960s, before heading west to Connemara, where under the title of Cinegael, he created work showcasing life in the west of Ireland, especially the Connemara Gaeltacht. His legacy accounts for books, the first Irish-language feature films Poitín and Budawanny, as well as a key role in the formation of a pirate television station which would eventually lead to the founding of TG4.  

Toner Quinn has recently edited and published a book of Bob’s writings, which will be available to purchase on the night. 

If you have purchased a Delegate Pass for Docs Ireland, reserve your spot here.