Limerick filmmaker Nick Carswell has won the Abbeyfest Documentary Film Competition with his debut short, “The Last Train” in a competition run as part of Abbeyfest 2010, Abbeyleix’s annual music and arts festival. Nick Carswell is a musician and filmmaker who performs in a number of local bands, most notably his own band, The Elective Orchestra, who played last years Electric Picnic, he also makes a regular appearance at the Locke Bar.
Described by the makers as an “informative and engaging film”, The Last Train tells the story of the railway in Abbeyleix, County Laois, how it came to the town in the 1860s, how town life was affected by it, and it’s ultimate departure with the closure of the line in 1962. Nick revealed to the Limerick Post that “The history of the railway in the area was very interesting to me and combined with the character of Ron Bramley, there was definitely a memorable story to be told. Ron grew up with an interest in the railway, and as a mechanic by trade, he also built his own steam engines and was involved in the start of the Stradbally Steam Rally which still runs for enthusiasts of vintage steam engines and tractors. But it was his fascination with the railway as a boy growing up in Abbeyleix that still shines through in his recollections today. Having spent all his leisure time at the station, the staff all grew to know him well, and were pleased with his contagious enthusiasm. With an astonishing memory for detail, he is still known today as the biggest railway enthusiast in town, even though the railway left Abbeyleix in 1962, when Ronnie wad just 18.”
‘The Last Train’ is set to feature in some Underground Cinema events around the country, is under consideration for a number of major film festivals around the world and Nick is working on plans to show the film here in Limerick. Nick has only recently turned his attention to filmmaking and with the success of this debut short documentary, this may prove to be the start of a very interesting career in film. See the trailer at www.youtube.com/willnescrack.
See trailer below:
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