Should the J.J. Devine pub in Achill be rebuilt as a Mayo tourist attraction?
The manager of Achill Tourism, Chris McCarthy, has confirmed an invitation has been extended to pop star Taylor Swift to visit the island following her praise for the film The Banshees of Inisherin.
Singer-songwriter Swift revealed in an interview with Variety Magazine that she would like the pub used in The Banshees of Inisherin movie, J.J. Devine’s pub, to be rebuilt, so that she and others can visit it.
The fictional pub was constructed on location at Cloughmore and was the setting for many of the dramatic scenes in Martin McDonagh’s 2022 film.
Speaking with McDonagh, the American artist said she was ‘sort of sad’ to find it had been built as a prop, explaining that she was ‘happy for the production design and the feat of engineering and imagination that it was, but I wanted to go there’.
Later in the conversation, McDonagh teased that if the film did really, really well, maybe they could build it again, to which Swift enthused, “I’d like to float that idea. I’ll go!”
Last month the US singer expressed her love for the Martin McDonagh dark comedy and she called for the temporary pub which was built for the film to be installed on a permanent basis.
Expressing her love for the movie, Swift said: “It’s such a special film. Watching it with other people, I think it’s one of those films that’s going to hit home and make people think and make people talk about it afterward. Because I’ve been talking about it ever since."
Speaking on Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio One in the aftermath of the film winning three Golden Globe awards in Hollywood, Mr. McCarthy said the invitation has been issued to Ms. Swift and he hopes she takes it up.
He was not asked about her comments that the pub at Cloughmore should be rebuilt as a tourist attraction, but confirmed the movie is proving a major boost in promoting the island as a tourist destination.
Councillor Ger Deere said the idea of rebuilding the fictional pub in the film was worthy of consideration from a tourism perspective.
He stated: "Achill is always one of my favourite places to cycle and the welcome members of Islandeady Cycling Club get from the local people is wonderful.
“And because the scenery is breathtaking, it is no wonder everyone wants to visit the island.
"Fair play to everybody involved in promoting Achill and I hope they enjoy huge success in the years to come."