"The Irish in Film," the free movie series sponsored by the Irish Studies Committee at Fairfield University, opens on Wednesday, October 5 with four diverse films. Now in its fourth year, the series is part of Fairfield University's "Arts & Minds" season of cultural and intellectual programs.
The 2010 documentary, "The Pipe," opens the series on October 5. It tells the story of the people of County Mayo, Ireland, and their attempt to prevent Shell, a multinational oil company, from laying an underwater and underground pipe from a gas field off the western coast to an inland refinery in the small town of Ballinaboy. The pipe would make it possible for Shell to distribute the gas all across Ireland. Protestors see the Shell plan as a looming environmental disaster that will cause economic hardship to the local fishing and farming communities. Over several years of demonstrations, the protestors become increasingly desperate, while others in the community agree to accept Shell's financial compensation. Shell has refused to tell its side of the story and to this day the battle has not been resolved. "The Pipe" was shown at the London Film Festival and the Toronto Film Festival. The presenter for this film is to be announced.
The films will be shown in the Multimedia Room of the DiMenna-Nyselius Library on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The films will be introduced by professors who teach in the Irish Studies program. Fairfield University welcomes students as well as the greater community to this free event. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, please contact Marion White, Irish Studies Committee, at (203) 254-4000, ext. 3021 or e-mail her at mwhite@fairfield.edu.