Movie 5: The Snapper

The Snapper is a 1993 Irish television film which was directed by Stephen Frears and starred Tina Kellegher, Colm Meaney and Brendan Gleeson. The film is based on the novel by Irish writer Roddy Doyle, about the Rabbitte family and their domestic adventures. It forms part of Doyle’s Barrytown Trilogy which includes The Van, The Commitments and The Snapper. The film was directed by Stephen Frears and stars Tina Kellegher and Colm Meaney.

The Film follows the story of young Sharon Curley who becomes pregnant, but refuses to tell anyone who the father is. She decides to keep the baby ("snapper") and her family, each in their own way, eventually decides to support her.  Her refusal to name the father sets in motion a family drama involving her three brothers, two sisters, and her parents, along with her employers and all her friends.

Raheny

The Coastal town of Raheny provides an idyllic setting for the fictional “Barrytown”. Raheny is situated on the coast of County Dublin, about 8 km from Dublin city centre and 7 km from Dublin Airport, and has been for centuries within the jurisdiction of Dublin City Council, formerly Dublin Corporation. The historic county boundary lies close by. Nearby areas include Killester, Clontarf, Artane, Kilbarrack, Coolock, Donaghmede and the skyline is dominated by Howth Head. station, although it has its own railway station, parts of Raheny are served by other DART stations, Harmonstown and Kilbarrack, on the same line. The Kilbarrack station proves an important location as the Rabbitte Family (Changed to Curley by 20^th century Fox) live in a council house just outside the station grounds.

The Old Shieling Hotel, Raheny

The Shieling Hotel, in the former Fox Hall, and a part of the small Regency Hotel group, ceased operation in early 2008, after planning permission had been granted, after an appeal, to redevelop the main house, a protected historic structure, as flats, due to its significance to the area and also its appearance in The Snapper.

The Cedar Lodge Pub also makes an appearance in the film and is located near the Old Shelling Hotel. This historic pub also made an appearance in The Van The Pub was Frequented by author Roddy Doyle during his years living at home in Kilbarrack.

Ballybough

Ballybough is an inner city district of north east Dublin city, Ireland.  It situated north of the Summerhill the term Bailebough in Irish is derived from the 'Baile' Town and 'Bocht' meaning 'poor'. Prior to its urbanization in the late nineteenth century, Ballybough was known as Mud Island, owing to its proximity to the mud flats that now form Fairview.

Known characters of ill-repute during the 19^th and 20^th centuries. The authorities designated an area of burial known as 'the Suicide Plot' for the areas drunks, criminals and prostitutes. It is from this burial site Bram Stoker derived the idea of the cross for his novel 'Dracula,' the cross being the junction of Clonliffe Road and Ballybough Road. Sadly, this site now hosts two large advertising billboards which local residents are trying to have removed.

The area was home to such famous people such as Luke Kelly of The Dubliners folk group for whom Ballybough Bridge over the River Tolka is named. The film director Jim Sheridan (Foot, The) is also from the area. Curtis Flemming from Tolka Road played International football for Ireland as did Paddy Moore from Clonliffe Avenue.

Close by at Jones's Road is Croke Park, the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association. This sports stadium is among the most modern in Europe with a capacity of 83,000. In addition to hurling and Gaelic football it is also used as a rock concert venue. It is here that U2 has played to some of its largest audiences. The stadium was also the venue where world boxing champion Muhammad Ali defeated 'Al Blue' Lewis in a non-title fight in 1972.

The Rotunda Hospital

The Rotunda Hospital, one of the three main maternity hospitals in Dublin features as the birthplace of Sharon’s baby, the Snapper. The hospital is located just off the top of O'Connell Street, on Parnell Square.

The hospital, originally known as "The Dublin Lying-In Hospital", was founded in 1745 by Bartholomew Mosse (1712-1759), a surgeon and man-midwife who was appalled at the conditions that pregnant mothers had to endure at the time. Initially located in George's Lane, it was later moved to its present location in 1757 where it became known as "The New Lying-In Hospital", referred to today as "The Rotunda".

The design of the hospital's main building was undertaken by the renowned architect Richard Cassels, who was also responsible for Leinster House,Russborough House and Powerscourt House.