A SCARIFF photographer is hoping to have a second video shown on RTÉ television, as part of The People’s Angelus.

James Treacy, from Moynoe, has been filming with his co-producer, Martin Ryan, of the Limerick College of Further Education (LCFE) for a number of months and the final product is being edited.

The short film features farmer John Beston baling silage and cutting hay in the late summer, then using it to fodder his animals in the winter months.

The piece was chosen because it fits the meditative and reflective tone of The People’s Angelus.

“We have been shooting this video since last July 2021 and we now have to put the jigsaw puzzle together,” Mr Treacy said.

Previously, the duo made a short film at Kilmallock Mart in County Limerick to reflect the rhythm of farming life and the role of the mart.

That piece will be aired again on RTÉ One at 6pm on Friday, January 28, under a five-year deal Mr Treacy has made with the national broadcaster.

It is already proving to a busy year for Mr Treacy, who recently joined the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and is providing pictures from marts across the region to a number of publications.

He is also teaching photography classes and said he is writing a book which will introduce beginners to the craft.

Mr Treacy said he is still planning to lead a matchmaking trip to Ukraine in August and hopes to be able to organise further pilgrimages to the Holy Land at Christmas, once pandemic restrictions and airlines allow.

The Ukraine ‘dating’ tour, which is set to involve 50 Irish and British men, has not been without controversy.

Mr Treacy has been forced to reiterate that there is no suggestion of exploitation, after several high-profile media appearances.

“You would hardly call Lisdoonvarna modern-day slavery and this matchmaking service is based upon a similar approach,” he said in response to criticisms after an interview on a Cork radio station.”

“We also hope to have a camera crew coming with us and we have hammered out a deal with a County Kerry production company who are willing to travel with us but we have to get the green light in America first because there are a few American TV stations want to do business with me also,” he said.

Mr Treacy added that he is planning another religious tour to Fatima in 2023, as well as a dating tour to the Philippines.