Letters

Moby Dick in Youghal

Rosita Boland’s article brings back memories

Tue Jul 4 2023 - 00:15

Sir, – I enjoyed Rosita Boland’s account of the filming of John Huston’s Moby Dick in Youghal, and how it left its mark on the town (“Moby Dick in Youghal, It was Magic”, Weekend Review, July 1st). I was surprised though that she did not mention the involvement of a former Irish Times stalwart, one Séamus Kelly, who as Quidnunc wrote your Irishman’s Diary for many years. His piratical looks made him a natural choice to play the third mate Flask.

As a child I often heard him reprise his single line in the movie “Row ye eejits!” He might not have got a mention in Rosita’s piece, but he barged his way in anyway, and can be seen peering at the camera, sporting a mate’s hat, on the extreme left of the accompanying photo. – Yours, etc,

DAVID DAVIN POWER,

Dublin 9.

READ MORE

Sir, – The idea underpinning the series of articles on Irish towns altered when films were made within them is interesting, and I particularly enjoyed the analysis of how Youghal was transformed by the creation of Moby Dick there nearly 70 years ago.

My father grew up in the town, where his parents ran a pub, The Clock Tavern. He often spoke of that summer, of the film and the impact it had. The documentary footage referred to on YouTube is fascinating, showing a small town in 1950s Ireland trying to resemble an even older Nantucket.

The shop fronts behind the cast and crew show how the businesses’ names were changed to resemble that community, with titles such as Pildash Mayhew and P Starbuck Ship Chandlers over their windows, the latter also the name of the first mate on the ill-fated crew.

All of which adds up to a pretty good riddle or pub quiz question. What Irish town had a Starbucks in the mid-1950s? – Yours, etc,

BRIAN O’BRIEN,

Kinsale,

Co Cork.

LATEST STORIES