Move to Restore Quiet Man Cottage
By June Beck, Editor of Maureen O'Hara Magazine
February / March 2012
Locals and fans from around the world are rallying on the Facebook social network to renew the dream of seeing “The Quiet Man Cottage” restored to its former cinematic glory as it appeared in the 1951 movie The Quiet Man. Today, the structure is barely recognizable as it lies in shambles.
For Paddy McCormick, from Belfast, this dream began in 1998. As an ardent fan of the movie he began what he termed a “pilgrimage” to visit the film sites. He was delighted to find most of the areas just as they were on the screen. Unfortunately, his dream trip fell short when he found the once romantic cottage of Sean and Mary Kate in total shambles on a neglected farm lot. He decided to try to do something to restore the cottage. He made two vows: (1) to make the cottage exactly as it was at the time of filming, and (2) to make sure that it would not be exploited for purely commercial purposes, but serve as a historic part of Ireland and a tribute to the legacy of John Ford. Maureen O’Hara, who starred with John Wayne in this John Ford film masterpiece, said, “Ireland is the star of this film.” Winton Hoch, gifted cinematographer, used his skills to capture the Emerald Isle in its Technicolor panorama for all the world to see.
Paddy is in the process of setting up a non-profit foundation, which hopefully could buy the site, restore the cottage and make sure that any money generated from visitors to the site would be used to manage and maintain the site in perpetuity. He contacted heads of Irish government, but unfortunately the one stumbling block is the American owner’s unwillingness to sell the property. Paddy had pretty much given up on his dream until Facebook and several other parties with the same mission surfaced.
They are now combining their efforts to bring national and global attention to this historic mission. Paddy has registered the “White O’Morn Foundation” and with the help of supporters, continues to move forward. It is everyone’s hope that Maureen O’Hara, who offers encouragement to these efforts, can see this happen in her lifetime.
Links to more information:
“White O’Morn” Restoration Group on Facebook
10 Responses to “Move to Restore Quiet Man Cottage”
Leave a Reply
Share
More Articles
Serious George – An Interview With George Clooney
The perennial leading man talks about his Irish roots, getting older, and his passion for activism. George Clooney...
More
Irish Eye on Hollywood
1. The girl with the dragon tattoo is going to become the girl with the Irish accent. Rooney Mara – star of the smash...
More
John Cusack on Poe and The Raven
Exploring a character forced to grapple with inner demons is a familiar task for actor John Cusack, who has portrayed...
More
The Last Word: Stand With the Sisters
Mary Pat Kelly looks at the Vatican’s latest censorship move to silence American nuns. I am shocked and heartsick at...
More
I’m definitely on board with this Project and endorse all that June has said in this Article. InterestinglyPaddy McCormick andI both seem tohave ‘Caught the QUIET MAN BUG’ in 1998
I heard somewhere that a lot of the stone from the cottage made its way to America via tourist suitcases!!!
I was in Cong this past June, and was most disappointed the the actual cottage was not accessible or in tact!! Shocked! That is one of the major points/plots of ‘The Quiet Man’ the “White O’Morn” cottage that Sean Thronton had such fond memories of! That’s what brings him back to Ireland! I would really love if their could be restored, especial as you say, in Maureen’s Lifetime!
I certainly hope they are able to bring it back to its former glory. The film is a must see for me at least once a year.
I believe it is so important to have the cottage restored where it is. From I was young I have been fascinated with the film. I have been in Cong a number of times and the countryside just brings me back, and I just stand and recreate the scenes in my head, picturing all the wonderful actors who walked the same ground. Amazing.
its about time, the best irish movie ever made, by one of the best directors,
My son Ryan and I sought out the cottage when in Ireland and where very disappointed that it had fallen onto hard times. We both want to help.
Great article, June. I visited Ireland and the Quiet Man sites in 1986.
I would love go back and see the cottage restored!
We at the White O’Morn Foundation, U.S.A. strongly support Paddy McCormack’s efforts to see White O’Morn restored, and we are working hard with the owner to accomplish this goal. To date, we have received the owners support as well, and hopefully we will see the restoration begin in the not too distant future! You can visit us online at:
whiteomornusa.weebly.com
and on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/whiteomornusa
I began watching “The Quite Man” back in the 80′s while stationed in Germany
Every year on St. Patrick’s day soldiers would buy, borrow or rent the movie to watch. I latter found from my uncle, a Merchant Marine sailor, the same happened on-board ships around the world. A little peace of the home embedded deep in the soul.
. Now, twenty five years later it is a family tradition. Even with a change of faith to Mennonite, I find my neighbors watching this great film.