In the 1950s, German writer Heinrich Böll travelled across Ireland to Achill Island, recounting his experiences and perceptions of a country firmly under the yoke of the Catholic church.
His writings were originally published in serial format, titled Irish Impressions, which he went on to adapt into a long-form book, Irish Journal, which became a significant influencer on the Ireland’s image abroad, and has has subsequently become a touchstone for travelogues on Ireland.
In parallel with the Irish Film Institute’s season “Rediscovering Margit Wagner”, IFI@Home presents “Mayo - God Help Us”, a collection of films for August centred around the dual subjects of Irish coastal communities, and the Catholic church in Ireland.
