New film on Flannery's pub in Athlone wins award in Switzerland

Ann's Pub, a 26-minute documentary about one of Athlone's most distinctive pubs, Flannery's, has won an award in Switzerland for Best Short Film.

Directed by Thabea Furrer, and produced by Soap Factory Basel, Ann's Pub picked up the Short Film Prize at the Basel Film and Media Art Awards earlier this week.

More than 80 hours of footage for it was shot at the Sean Costello Street premises over a three-year period, starting in late 2017.

The proprietor of the pub, Ann Flannery, told the Westmeath Independent she was delighted it was now the subject of a film.

"I'm not usually lost for words, but it's very humbling. This (pub) is my Daddy's sitting room, and now it's on the big screen," she said.

When asked how the film came about, Ann said the filmmaker, Ms Furrer, had been travelling in a camper van and came into Flannery's during one of its Monday night gatherings with live blues music.

"She came in with a fella and they happened to be there for the Monday Blues. Then she came back and said would you be interested (in having the film made)? I didn't know what to make of it - we thought she was daft.

"But, I have to say, it was an honour to see what she did with us. We want to thank her, because she was brilliant."

While the film has not yet been officially released, Ann has seen it and was delighted with it.

"The only thing I found hard was that she interviewed so many people but then she interviewed me, in the kitchen, and she used me as the voiceover. So it's my voice running through it, and that was a bit daunting to hear.

"But I was very, very proud. Out of all the pubs in all the world, we now have a little bit of fame. It's class."

Because it was filmed pre-pandemic, the film captures people socialising in a packed pub environment that wouldn't be seen right now.

"There were no inhibitions, no nothing. People were on top of each other. It was different times," she said.

Some of the people seen in the film have since died, including Martin O'Hara, who performed at Monday Blues night, and to whom the film is dedicated.

"Martin has passed away since and (the film) became a kind of tribute to him," said Ann.

A premiere of Ann's Pub is due to be screened in Basel in January, and Ann said she and some others from Athlone were planning to travel to Switzerland for it.

"I'll have to get new frock!" she quipped.

* Here is the trailer for Ann's Pub (Note: Contains strong language):