(8)The Guard
The Guard (2011)
Explore The Guard filming locations in Connemara. Connemara Film Trail Map
An unorthodox Irish policeman with a confrontational personality joins forces with an uptight F.B.I. agent to take down an international drug-smuggling ring. They work together to break up a drug gang who were terrorising the town. Filmmakers captured key scenes in and around An Spidéal (Spiddal) on the north coast of Galway Bay.
Starring: Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle.
Directed by: John Michael McDonagh.
Famous Association: John Michael McDonagh is the brother of Martin McDonagh (Who wrote and directed Banshees of Inisherin) and their parents came from Ceantar na nOileáin.
Quotation: ‘It’s not often you come across that kind of integrity in our business. Yeah, we can’t have that.’
Trivia: In the film, the Irish detective claimed that he won fourth place in a swimming competition at the Seoul 1988 Olympics – a spot actually claimed by an American. The film includes plenty of subtle slips to keep historical film spotters happy.
Brendan Gleeson’s performance earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination. John Michael McDonagh was nominated for a BAFTA Award for his writing achievement. What’s more, the film won 17 awards and 29 nominations in various award categories.
Set the scene: The ‘shoot out’ scene takes place at the Pier at An Spidéal (Spiddal) . Meanwhile filmmakers also used locations in Bearna and Ceantar na n-Oileáin. Take a drive Cois Fharraige to explore The Guard filming locations in Conamara.
Links: Martin McDonagh director of Banshees of Iniseerin donated his IFTA award to Ionad Oidhreachta Leitir Mealláin. Legendary director John Huston made his home beside Trá Direáin for a time — now also called Trá Huston. His daughter, Anjelica Huston, studied at Kylemore Abbey boarding school.
