PICTURES: "Three days in March" - Looking back at Emily Blunt's visit to Kildare for Netflix movie shoot

"Has Emily been in?" That was the question on everyone's lips in Rathangan on the morning of Wednesday, March 18. 
Run off their feet in Ma's Kitchen, production crew dashed in and out of the cafe on Main Street in anticipation of the start of filming of Walk the Blue Fields, starring none other than Hollywood starlet, Emily Blunt, Andrew Scott and Ciarán Hinds. 

With the shoot due to start at 1.30pm, a crew member went around with a dirty roller touching up the newly painted shop fronts to ensure they looked more authentic. Cones lined the paths to prevent cars from parking. With just 25 minutes to go, vintage cars, a van and a jeep were directed into spots along the Main street. A swift change of number plates ensued. Attention to detail was paramount as the crew gathered at the pump outside Leo Conway's former bicycle shop. 

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The finger board signs at the centre of the town were changed to indicate the story’s setting in Bunclody. Anyone traveling through would have been confused to find out Ballon was only a short drive away. Vintage cars were drafted in, old bikes were propped against windows, and an old style petrol pump appeared outside Brendan Conlan’s car salesrooom, which now resembled a grocer/shop/garage.

“It’s been mad busy, it’s great for the town” said cafe manager, Sharon Crampton.
One customer asked if she was getting out the good china for the famous actress, while another asked if Emily’s dashing husband, John John Krasinski would be accompanying the golden globe award winner to Kildare.

Ryan’s Pharmacy owner, Shane Ryan, who gave the use of two of his buildings for the shoot, joked that Emily would have to come in to the pharmacy and buy a packet of Panadol as part of the contract.

“It’s brilliant for the town. It’s great to see, and there is a great buzz around the place,” he declared. 
“The production manager said it has been a dream to work with the people in Rathangan, such has been the co-operation.”

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Anthony Lynch of Lynch’s Hardware said his wife’s relatives in America had found out about the film online, and had contacted her with great excitement. Natasha Martin and Bríd Kennedy of Natasha's shop kept the security men well fed with tea, coffee and toasted sandwiches. 

The town was closed off on a stop/go traffic system while filming took place on Wednesday 18, Thursday 19 and Friday 20. The crew also spent a short time in Monasterevin on Thursday afternoon.

The Netflix production is based on a short story by Claire Keegan and is directed by John Crowley of Brooklyn fame, while the script is by Conor McPherson.

Locals gathered during the day with numbers of onlookers swelling in the evening with the largest crows appearing on Friday.
Huddled behind cones, tape and barriers outside Dillons, and Donohoes, they got to see a movie being made first hand. Some pub goers even brought their pints outside to have a look. The crew’s attention to detail was fascinating.

On Thursday night, filming began around 10pm with water being pumped from a tanker up through pipes into a special crane with a sprinkler head system to create showers. The main street was hosed down to leave puddles along the road.

Emily Blunt arrived each day, stepping out from a black car, always with a wave for the gathering crowd. On Wednesday evening and Friday afternoon, she took time out to chat to locals and posed for photos. She also gave the children a wave as they went by on the school buses. Andrew Scott maintained a more low key profile.

There were security personnel and gardai located throughout the town. Crew vehicles were parked in various locations including the old convent yard. Several camper vans were also on site for the three days. Mini buses brought up the extras and actors from the old convent, where they waited in the Burrow pub to get the call for the next scene. Shouts of “rehearsal”, “rolling”, “road closed”, and “road open” could be heard from crew members posted at various locations. All anybody wants to know now is “when will the film be on the telly!”

It's over a week now since the film crew left and the town seems rather quiet in the aftermath. The props have been removed and life goes on. But, all us locals won't forget those three days in March, when the rain stayed away, we mingled with movie stars and our proud town was showcased on an international scale.