Northern Ireland

Patrick Kielty 'delighted' as debut movie Ballywalter to open in cinemas next month

Seána Kerslake and Patrick Kielty in Ballywalter, which will release in cinemas on September 22.
Seána Kerslake and Patrick Kielty in Ballywalter, which will release in cinemas on September 22.
By Paul Ainsworth

A FILM starring Patrick Kielty in his acting debut is to be released in cinemas next month, it has been confirmed.

Ballywalter, which was shot on location in the north and had its world premiere at last year's Belfast Film Festival, will be released in cinemas across Ireland and the UK on September 22.

Directed by former Line of Duty actor Prasanna Puwanarajah, the film features new Late Late Show host Mr Kielty as an aspiring comedian recovering from the breakdown of his marriage while exiling himself in the village of Ballywalter on the Ards Peninsula.

With a screenplay by Belfast writer Stacey Gregg, the film co-stars Dublin actress Seána Kerslake, whose performance saw her nominated in the Lead Actress - Film category of the Irish Film and Television Awards earlier this year.

Ballywalter had its world premiere at the 2022 Belfast Film Festival, and is described as a "life-affirming story about the unexpected connections that can change the course of our lives".

Read more:

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Patrick Kielty announced the release date of the film in a Twitter post on Wednesday, saying: "Delighted to be able to share this. And proud to be part of an amazing cast and crew."

The first official trailer for the film was also released on Wednesday.

Describing the role he plays in the film, the Co Down comedian said: "As someone who has done stand-up, there is a really fine line between a gig going well and you dying on your ass.

You can analyse those moments, looking for that second, that word that changes everything.

For someone like Shane, these really small things in his life could be the difference between him sailing along or bottoming out when he gets to Ballywalter.”

Mr Kielty is due to host his first Late Late Show on RTÉ One later this year, replacing former presenter Ryan Tubridy.