Richard Burton Lovespell At Cahir Castle 1979

The story of Tristan and Isolde is being filmed at Cahir Castle in Tipperary.

In Cahir Castle, the scene is set for a tragic love story set in eighth-century Ireland starring Richard Burton as King Mark, Kate Mulgrew as Isolde, and Nicholas Clay as Tristan.

King Mark of Cornwall, having met Princess Isolde while on a hunting trip in Ireland, sends his nephew Tristan back there to communicate a proposal of marriage. When Tristan and Isolde fall in love there are tragic consequences.

Cyril Cusack and Niall Tóibín are just two Irish actors in the cast while the production crew is predominantly Irish. Directed by Tom Donovan and with cinematography by Richard H Kline, the film is being produced by Tom Hayes, whose short documentary film about the Abbey Theatre ‘Cradle of Genius’ was nominated for an Academy Award in 1962.

Tom Hayes says he is not overwhelmed by taking on this production, as he is supported by an experienced team of technicians. He would like to see film production in Ireland being developed with help from the government,

We are...ready to go to make the one hundred percent Irish indigenous feature film.

An RTÉ News report broadcast on 8 May 1979. The reporter is Kevin O’Connor.