North Circular Documentary Takes a Musical Tourney Through Dublin, Ireland's Busy Thoroughfare

“Those in power write the history, those who struggle write the songs.”

Directed by Luke McManus, North Circular is visually striking musical documentary journey through Dublin, Ireland’s history, working-class culture and unbreakable creative spirit.

The film includes musical performances from artists local to the North Circular, including John Francis Flynn, Séan Ó Túama, Eoghan O’Ceannabháin, Ian Lynch and Gemma Dunleavy.

The documentary world premiered at Dublin International Film Festival 2022 where it received a Special Mention, Best Documentary; and went on to play at other festivals including Sheffield DocFest 2022; CPH:DOX 2023; Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2023 and Big Sky Documentary Film Festival 2023.

Release Date

The film will make its NYC theatrical premiere at DCTV’s Firehouse Cinema from July 28-August 3 with opening weekend Q&As featuring the filmmaker along with TBA musicians from the film.

Synopsis

Shot in atmospheric black and white, North Circular is a mesmerizing documentary musical that travels the length of Dublin’s North Circular Road, exploring the turbulent history, diverse music and vibrant streetscapes of the legendary city artery linking some of Ireland’s most beloved and infamous places.

Featuring captivating intimate stories and musical performances from a wide variety of subjects and artists from North Circular’s working-class communities, the film vividly portrays the creativity fueling the resilient spirit of the city and nation. From the haunting legacies of British colonialism and the prison-industrial complex, to the fight for women’s liberation and personal perseverance, North Circular also engages with the urgent current issues of gentrification and displacement, including the battle to save the iconic Cobblestone Pub – the epicenter of Dublin’s folk revival – from destruction at the hands of cynical property developers.

Writer & Director: Luke McManus | Editor: John Murphy | Producers: Luke McManus & Elaine Gallagher | Camera: Patrick Jordan, Evan Barry, Richard Kendrick, Jamie Goldrick, Luke McManus.

Reviews

With an impressive 4 of 5 stars review, Guardian wrote, “This is a movie pregnant with images and ideas, something to be compared with Gianfranco Rosi’s 2013 film Sacro GRA, about the people who live and work on Rome’s main ring road, the Grande Raccordo Anulare, and Alice Diop’s film We (Nous), about the people and communities to be found along Paris’s RER rail line. What distinguishes North Circular is the overwhelming importance of music: there’s a musical tradition here that is not simply commemorative and static, but vital and evolving, and given a fresh burst of creativity by the emerging status of women in Ireland – the film features a potent contribution from north Dublin singer-songwriter Gemma Dunleavy. A film made with real artistry.”