John Carney

An unlikely friendship. A lost love resurfaced. A marriage at its turning point. A date that might not have been a date. An unconventional new family. These are unique stories about the joys and tribulations of love, each inspired by true events.

When Rick, a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves - even if it means risking everything he cares about.

Gretta, a budding songwriter, finds herself alone after her boyfriend Dave ditches her. Her life gains purpose when Dan, a record label executive, notices her talent.

A boy growing up in Dublin during the 1980s escapes his strained family life by starting a band to impress the mysterious girl he likes.

Explore 6 unique yet universal stories of human connection and love in its varied forms – romantic, platonic, parental, sexual, familial, marital, self-love.

A vacuum repairman moonlights as a street musician and hopes for his big break. One day a Czech immigrant, who earns a living selling flowers, approaches him with the news that she is also an aspiring singer-songwriter. The pair decide to collaborate, and the songs that they compose reflect the story of their blossoming love.

Single mom Flora is at a loss about what to do with her rebellious teenage son, Max. Her efforts to keep him out of trouble lead to a beat-up acoustic guitar, a washed-up LA musician, and harmony for this frayed Dublin family.

Bachelors Walk is an Irish comedy-drama created by John Carney. Shot in and around Dublin, the programme broadcast on RTÉ from 1 October 2001 to 15 December 2003. The plot revolves three single men living in a house in Dublin’s Bachelors Walk: charming ne'er-do-well Barry, film critic Raymond, and would-be barrister Michael. After three series and an absence of three years, the programme concluded with a one-off Christmas special, aired on St Stephen's Day 2006 on RTÉ Two.

A suicidal young man is committed to a Dublin psychiatric hospital where he meets new friends who greatly influence his life.

Man-boy farmer Donal discovers that his father has suddenly passed away. Now on his own, Donal attempts to lose his virginity by hiring a prostitute to help him get out of his rut. And so he meets Kim, an aging Kiwi escort. After engaging in a strictly sexual encounter, their relationship soon progresses into a lusty romance, then to a business enterprise between two partners. Through these exploits, Donal and Kim provide each other with a sense of love and belonging that neither experienced beforehand.

Zonad (Simon Delaney) is from space…probably. Or so the Cassidy family assume when they discover an apparent alien in a shiny red space suit and helmet passed out on the living room floor beside the drinks cabinet. The Cassidys and the people of Ballymoran make the intriguing visitor feel very welcome (and in the case of mother Mary, Donna Dent, and teenage minx Jenny, Janice Byrne, they make him feel very welcome indeed). At first, Zonad tries to evade the warm welcome of the villagers, although the procession of wanton women and free beer gets the better of him. Why give up on a good thing?

Raymond is living alone and trying to write; Michael is stuck at home with parents; Barry is successful in London. They reunite.

Karen and her husband come to Dublin to visit her brother. Tensions arise when there are indications that Karin and her brother may have an incestuous relationship.

Frank is a confident, charming author with a secret mistress in London; a relationship he wants to keep casual. Frank's secret is a burden he bears lightly, but he finds himself increasingly drawn into examining his unworthiness which ultimately horrifies him. Maria, an artist, is his good humoured wife putting a brave face on his neglect. Feeling increasingly emotional and isolated as she approaches middle age, she eventually breaks down admitting her loneliness at Frank's absences. The cathartic point of the film is when Michael, the co-owner of the cottage where they're staying, pays a visit with a woman other than his wife. Not knowing that he has left his wife and has moved in with this other woman, embarrassment and awkwardness increase, straining this social setting. With the illicit couple hot-footing it back to the city, Frank and Maria are left feeling threatened trying to reason the situation, at the midst of which lies Frank's secret.

Catherine goes to a local park to meet up with a school friend. The friend is not there, and Catherine spends the morning looking for her, with the help of the elderly park-keeper to whose stories she listens all the while. Several years later, Catherine is found hanging from a window in her home.

Ghosts stalk an old guesthouse in the Aran islands, as two American backpackers vie for the affections of a young woman who is, literally, haunted by her past.

Short film by John Carney.

Short film by John Carney.