WHO WAS THE MERCHANT PRINCE OF THIS 17TH-CENTURY MANSION?

Cinemavixion Review

This documentary delves into the intriguing history of Teach An Spidéil, a remarkable house in Spiddal, linking it to a surprising array of figures from Irish history and culture, including Galway Sheriffs, Merchant Princes, John Wayne, and the band The Waterboys. The narrative unfolds through Manchán's journey to Inis Mór, where a conversation with local historian Padraig reveals the house's earliest known landowners: the Fitzpatrick family of Inis Mór. In 1650, this influential family, often referred to as 'Irish Princes of Trade,' first acquired the Spiddal House property. The film illuminates the layered past of this significant dwelling, connecting its ownership through centuries to notable personalities and periods, ultimately revealing its primary 17th-century custodians to the current owner, Donal Standún.