Mayo screenwriter joins production of tragic stuntman biopic 'One Last Show in Taghmon’

A Mayo-born screenwriter has joined the team behind a powerful new Irish film that revisits a tragic real-life stunt gone wrong.

James Vincent has taken on the role of executive producer in “One Last Show in Taghmon”, a feature film that explores the harrowing story of stuntman John Condron, whose final performance ended in tragedy.

The film centres around a stunt performed in August 1982 at Taghmon Castle in County Wexford, where Condron, part of a group of daring stunt performers from the 1980s, attempted a free fall from the four-storey castle tower. Despite safety precautions, including padding and strategically placed boxes, the stunt went fatally wrong.

According to accounts from the day, John had an uneasy feeling before the jump but decided to proceed, reportedly due to the presence of a gathered crowd and mounting pressure. His tragic death is at the heart of the film, which aims to honour his life while also shedding light on the high-risk world of stunt performance.

The film is written and directed by Alan Walsh, a seasoned professional stuntman and a former colleague of Condron’s. Walsh’s own career includes coordinating stunts for major productions such as “Braveheart”.

The production has also drawn the attention of one of Ireland’s most acclaimed filmmakers, six-time Oscar nominee Jim Sheridan, who has joined the project as a fellow executive producer.

Filming took place at the actual location of the original incident, with local residents offering both practical and emotional support. During the shoot, several locals positioned themselves exactly where they had stood over four decades earlier to help the crew recreate the scene with striking accuracy.

Speaking about the film, Vincent described it as “a cautionary tale about listening to our instincts and recognising the real dangers that lie behind the entertainment we often take for granted.”

While One Last Show in Taghmon is rooted in true events, some elements have been fictionalised to enhance its cinematic storytelling.

The film is scheduled for public release at the end of next June.