Jimmy's Hall 2015

In 1932, after spending a decade in the United States, Jimmy Gralton makes his way back to his hometown in Ireland to assist his mother in managing the family farm. This return coincides with a new government taking power, a decade after the conclusion of the Irish Civil War. Inspired by his time in America, Jimmy decides to revive a community center where the youth can freely come together to dance, learn, and engage in conversation, influenced by the jazz culture he experienced abroad.

As the community hall begins to thrive, it faces backlash from various factions in the town, particularly from the Church represented by Father Sheridan, who condemns the lively music and dancing as immoral and scandalous. Despite the adversities, Jimmy and his sympathetic mother, who shares a leaning towards Communism, strive to help a family facing eviction from their home.

Jimmy’s growing activism soon draws the attention of the Gardaí, setting off a series of events that leads to his deportation from Ireland under charges of sedition. Holding an American passport, he is sent back to the States, much to the dismay of his supporters. During a rally against his expulsion, Jimmy’s mother passionately criticizes the absence of a fair trial, reminding the crowd that he was indeed “the first and only Irish person in history to ever be deported from Ireland.” Through the tumultuous journey of Jimmy’s return to Ireland, we see a poignant exploration of music, community, and the struggles against oppressive forces.