6:10pm Friday 19th March 2010
By Peter Magill
THE little-known tale of an Irish hero, who acquired his missionary zeal in East Lancashire, has been adapted for the big screen by a Haslingden journalist.
If the story of Michael Davitt, the 19th-century Republican who grew up in the valley town, is taken up by Hollywood it could become an epic to rival Celtic firebrands from William Wallace to Michael Collins.
But ITV reporter Andrew Lindsay, 32, will be simply satisfied he has managed to do justice to the memory of Davitt, who grew up in his home town.
Former All Saints College student Andrew was approached by the Irish Democratic Club’s Davitt branch in Haslingden to script the crusader’s life story.
And with Irish roots to claim of his own Andrew, whose parents Angus and Kathleen live in Rawsthorn Avenue, set to work.
He gained invaluable assistance from Dr Carla King, from University College Dublin, and local historian John Dunleavy, before meeting Father Tom Davitt, the Irishman’s grandson and a Dublin priest.
Andrew said: “I just did as much research as I could and then set about trying to put together as particular episodes in his life, with a central plot, showing how he affected people’s lives.”
Andrew, who also attended Blackburn College and has a film degree, added: “I think it is a fantastic story and I am just surprised that no-one has tried to film it before, especially when you consider the success of films such as Braveheart and Michael Collins.
“But I have not got a spare couple of million pounds to produce the film so I will have to wait until someone picks it up. But I’ve done my bit.”
Irish president Mary McAleese visited Haslingden in 2006 to unveil a plaque in Davitt’s honour and there is a statue dedicated to him opposite the Irish club.
Born in County Mayo, Davitt’s family was forced out of Ireland due to rent arrears, when he was aged just four, and landed in Haslingden.
He suffered further hardship when he was put to work at Victoria Mill in Baxenden, aged nine, where he lost his right arm in a cogwheel accident.
He was sent to school by local industrialist John Dean abd learned to become a typesetter, before beginning night school classes at the local Mechanics Insitute, now Haslingden Library, where he fostered a growing interest in Irish history.
Davitt was to become a leading figure in the Irish Republican Brotherhood and was jailed for treason in 1870, for arms dealing.
Later he was to help form the Irish Land League, demanding property ownership for local peasants, and served as MP for seats in Meath, Cork, Kerry and Mayo.
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