Directed by John Farrelly, this groundbreaking film explores the dark landscape of post-famine Ireland, blending historical realism with supernatural terror. An Taibhse (The Ghost) explores the profound hardships faced by its people. The narrative centres around Éamon (Tom Kerrisk) and his daughter Máire (Livvy Hill), who take on the task of maintaining a remote mansion , only to be driven to the edge of sanity by the horrors lurking within.
Their task, initially serene, veers into terror as they encounter inexplicable phenomena. The film explores the depths of human resilience in the face of unspeakable horror, presenting a nuanced portrayal of survival and the complex ways the mind adapts to protect itself.
We caught up with lead actor Tom Kerrisk who plays the role of Éamon in the film….
What drew you to this horror project, and how did you find the experience of working in the genre?
Luckily I had been cast by John Farrelly in his debut feature ‘The Sleep Experiment’, so when ‘An Taibhse’ was conceived by John, I was on his mind to play Éamon and get involved in this production. What excited me about the project was that we were going to do it ’As Gaeilge’ and knowing it would be the First Ever Irish Language Horror Movie just added to that gravitas.
I absolutely loved working in the genre. It unbridles the imagination and opens the doorway to the shadow nature of humans, allowing darker themes of the psyche to be explored through the safety of storytelling.
How did you prepare for your role as Éamon in the film? What can you tell us about your character?
As I was onboard from the beginning I had a lot of time to create Éamon. John and I spent a lot of time creating a blueprint for him. It was important to me that ‘Éamon’ would be as authentic as humanly possible as someone from the time period. In stead of the gym, I took a job at a construction site for 3 months to build my body like a worker from that time period. Creating how he would look aesthetically and researching cultural nuances of the time period was pivotal to the realism required. Éamon is complex character, trying to provide a secure life for himself and his daughter, a man who suppresses his emotions, grief and traumas through the escapism of alcohol – thinking that’s the best course of action, as so many before and after him believed.
What was your experience like working with director John Farrelly? How did he guide you in bringing Éamon to life?
John Farrelly, simply put, is a generational talent. His unique vision and ability to create compelling stories is a rare gift. Honouring the Irish language for the first time in the Horror genre shows his authenticity and groundbreaking attitude to his craft. As this was our 2nd feature together we were well versed artistically and had developed an understanding beyond the normal Director / Actor relationship. Mainly due in part, to our passion for storytelling, a shared relentless work ethic, turning obstacles into solutions, knowing our calling and boldly following it to the end. He is a true friend and a cosmic brother.
As John wrote ‘An Taibhse’, he intimately knew Éamon as his creator. My job was to manifest Èamon into physical reality. I am a directors’ actor, meaning i’ts my job to bring the directors vision of the character to life. Sure I have my input, but at the end of the day, Eamon is Johns creation and I am its human vessel. Rehearsal and preparation are fundamental for us both so when we get onset its play time. John loves doing lots of takes, which works for me as its never the same twice. We have a good laugh onset, even though the subject matter is heavy. There is a trust and belief in each other and a realisation that it’s the Story that is important, not us.
How did the cast and crew support each other during the filming process? Was anyone daunted by the subject matter?
Everyone on the cast and crew was a dream to work with. We were only about 10 people in total so it was all hands on deck and nobody complained. Working with fellow cast members Livvy Hill and Anthony Murphy was fantastic. Livvy and I had work together previously on The Lost Jedi, a short film written by John, so we knew each other and I have tremendous respect for her talent and her professionalism to the craft. Likewise with Anthony Murphy who I had worked with on ‘The Sleep Experiment’, Johns debut feature. He was like an older brother for me and an endless source of encouragement as I took my first steps into film acting.
Nobody was daunted by the subject matter, not at all. We are Artists and it’s our job to tell the story in its purest, unfiltered truth.
How do you think the use of the Irish language enhances the film’s authenticity and atmosphere?
As the story is told in our native tongue it legitimises the authenticity of the film and greatly enhances its originality regarding the time period and its historical accuracy. And it reminds the audience that our language is not some new fad that’s cool, but a living breathing ancestral part of us that was brutally taken from us due to colonialism. This film would be a shadow of itself if it was done in English as the Irish Language adds multiple layers of mystery and magick to the story, while subtly awakening the subconscious memory of it deep inside the Irish people.
Id say there are plenty of us who think the idea of speaking Irish is very scary, based on the way it was thought to us, so that has to bode well for a horror movie
As well as acting in ‘An Taibhse’ you also worked on the soundtrack, what can you tell us about creating music for a horror film? What can you tell us about using music as a tool to scare audiences?
Thats right, along with the gifted Ally Donald, who is a bandmate with DAFT POP. We had composed the music for Johns first film, ‘The Sleep Experiment’ so it naturally happened that we would compose the music for ‘An Taibhse’ as well. Ally Donald is a brilliant producer and such a creative inspiration musically. Once we had the first rough edit of the film we dove straight into creating a soundscape that would eventually materialise into its own character within the film. Months of studio time, trying new sounds, recording our own foley artistry sounds, enhancing and manipulating every type of sound imaginable until eventually the finished compositions are ready for review by John. It’s a very long process but ultimately incredibly rewarding and essential to the overall experience of the movie. Music is especially relevant for Horror films as it builds tension and can foreshadow something about to happen or tease the audience into thinking such. Dynamics are the order of the day with crazy, chaotic arrangements that swell to their zenith and then are cut away into a slow foreboding tension that can quickly explode into chaos at any moment again. As a composer you have the audience in the palm of your hand and literally can them on an emotional rollercoaster as they experience the movie.
You’ve already won an award for this film at the South African Horror Film Festival 2025, what was your reaction to that? Did you get to attend the festival?
Yeah that was fantastic news. Sadly we didn’t get to attend but it was wonderful to have been recognised by the festival. ‘An Taibhse’ has done brilliantly on the awards scene with Livvy Hill winning Best Actress at the ‘Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre’ Festival in Argentina. Also John Farrelly & Ross Power have won 2 awards on the festival circuit for their Cinematography on the film and we picked up a Language Preservation Award at the Icelandic Film Festival. John also won the Emerging Talent Award at this years EIFF in Ennis, Co Clare.
We’re seeing more and more films being made in Irish, why do you think it’s taken so long for this to happen & what are your hopes for the future?
I think finally we are healing from the trauma of having our language arrested from us all those years ago. We are proud and confident of Gaelige again and its role in our evolution as a people. The future is very bright for Irish language film and with Screen Ireland adding more and more titles in Irish, we are entering a golden age for the language. And long may it continue !
What are your future plans ?
Happy to say that we, (Jackpot Films) are planning another Irish Language feature next. Really excited about that…and its not a horror ;). We also have a few other ideas we are pitching. I’ve just finished writing a new script titled, ‘In All The Dark Places’ so will get developing that soon. Its a story about the aftermath of a family Will so another traditionally Irish topic !
What do you hope audiences take away from your performance in An Taibhse?
Oh I don’t know. My influence ended when the film was finally finished. It’s up to the audience themselves now, depending on their own internal experience of it. But I hope they enjoy the movie and it inspires them to embrace the Irish language more, and also encourages them to see that with determination, drive and willpower, anything can be achieved.