“The very first documentary I made when I was doing Film And Broadcasting in DIT was on a funeral home and embalmers,” laughs Aoife Kelleher.

The director — who works as producer on The Vincent Browne Show by day — is currently basking in the glow of the rave reviews for One Million Dubliners, her film about Glasnevin Cemetery which landed a Best Documentary Award at Galway Film Fleadh.
The artefact is a captivating look at the history and day-to-day life of the cemetery which opened its gates in 1832 and whose 1.5 million plus ‘residents’ include Daniel O’Connell, Eamon DeValera, Jim Larkin, Maud Gonne, Brendan Behan, Luke Kelly and Michael Collins. Despite the nature of the subject matter, the documentary is an uplifting and fascinating visual journey.
“There is so much more than the sombre and the macabre” reflects Kelleher, “the historical figures there, the love stories, the romantic idea of a couple being buried beside each other.
“Also, one of the first things I did was meet Shane (MacThomais — former tour guide and historian) and go on the tour and that was so uplifting and compelling.”
The charismatic character of MacThomas — who died tragically before the film’s release — radiates from the screen. One striking aspect of One Million Dubliners is how alive the cemetery is; it is a celebration of life rather than a place of grim reflection on death.
“One French-Vietnamese visitor talks about the attitude towards the dead they have in South East Asia where they bring meals to the grave, sit down, eat and talk about the person in the present tense,” she says. “The idea of incorporating death in a very healthy way is something I think Irish people do anyway; the idea of the Irish wake with so much song and storytelling, there is so much light and shade.”
The film has certainly struck a chord. Why does Kelleher feel it resonates so strongly with people?
“There are over 1.5 million people buried in Glasnevin, so nearly everyone has someone there,” she states. “Even if you don’t there is someone there from the world of politics or art that means something significant to most people. Also, death is something that is in everyone’s future so it can’t but hit a nerve!”

One Million Dubliners opens now. For more from Aoife, and producer Rachel Lysaght check hotpress.com.