In PICTURES: Laois film explores universal experiences of birth and death

Thresholds, a new Laois documentary by writer and director Aisling Conroy, held its cast and crew screening at the Dunamaise Arts Centre on the October Bank Holiday Monday.

Described as a contemplative exploration of the universal experiences of birth and death, the film is told through the personal stories and lives of two often-unseen professionals - midwife Brenda Campion O’Toole and end-of-life doula Sinéad Ryan. Weaving through their stories is the director’s own practice as a visual artist working in abstraction.

The film aims to bring together the emotional and spiritual landscapes of these transitions, revealing the labours of love, compassion, and meditative practice and presence behind living and dying.

Filmed in Laois, the team behind Thresholds draws on the county’s landscapes as a backdrop. The film was shot at Clear Lake and the Glenbarrow Waterfall, Abbeyleix Bog Walk, Preston House, Abbeyleix, Lauragh townland, Mountmellick and Portlaoise.

The cast and crew screening was an opportunity to celebrate the people whose generosity, openness and hard work brought the film to life, and marks an important milestone for the production team before the film reaches wider audiences.

The film starred Brenda Campion O’Toole and Sinéad Ryan, with Kate Duffy, Angi McNulty, Malachy McNulty, Bláthnaid Ní Mhurchú, Ollie Plunkett, Adam Tahraoui and Paul Whelan

Thresholds was written and directed by Aisling Conroy, with production by Aisling Conroy and Ann Marie Kelly. The director of photography was Daragh Murphy.

The composer was Mark Daniel Kerry, with Michelle Fingleton responsible for sound design and editing dialogue.

The production Assistants: Orla Kelly, Glen O’Rourke, Mannix O’Rourke, Bláthnaid Ní Mhurchú

The film was funded by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Heritage Programme 2023-2027, in partnership with Laois County Council.