In the 1950s, German writer Heinrich Böll made several trips to Ireland, including several extended stays on Achill Island, recording his experiences and observations of a country firmly under the yoke of the Catholic church.
His writings were originally published as a series of newspaper articles, which he went on to adapt into a long-form book, Irish Journal. Böll’s writings had a significant influence on Ireland’s image abroad when originally published, and have subsequently become a touchstone of Irish travel writing.
IFI@Home presents “Mayo - God Help Us”, a collection of documentaries for August centred around the dual subjects of Irish coastal communities, and the enduring presence of the Catholic church in Irish society.
