Zonad

An escaped convict fools a whole Irish village into thinking he's a visitor from outer space. Zonad, a strange visitor comes to the town of Ballymoran, is taken in by the Cassidy family and accepted by the locals as an extraterrestrial. His comfortable existence is spoiled when Bonad arrives to replace him.

In 2003, John Carney co-wrote and co-directed an earlier version of Zonad, a short film, with Kieran Carney and Tom Hall. Starring Simon Delaney and Cillian Murphy, Zonad was low-budget and was never released. Murphy played the role of Guy Hendrickson, later played by Rory Keenan.

• Simon Delaney as Zonad, Liam Murphy.
• David Pearse as Bonad, Francis O'Connor. Bonad is Zonad's superior officer.
• Geoff Minogue as Dick Cassidy
• Donna Dent as Mary Cassidy
• Janice Byrne as Jenny Cassidy
• Kevin Maher as Jimmy Cassidy
• Rory Keenan as Guy Hendrickson
• David Murray as Benson, Guy Hendrickson's loyal manservant.
• Don Wycherley as a police sergeant

It was filmed in Avoca, County Wicklow, with many of the outdoor scenes filmed in the garden of Kilqueeny House in the village. The interior bar scenes were filmed in The Harbour Bar in Bray, County Wicklow, which was also used in Neil Jordan's Breakfast on Pluto.

Critical response

The Irish Times wrote "We laughed like the proverbial drain". Variety writer John Anderson describe it as a "nutroll of a comedy" made from equal parts Pleasantville, The Quiet Man and the old Carry On films.

The Evening Herald wrote "Awful, and with a disturbingly sleazy undercurrent to boot".

Awards and recognition

Shortlisted for an Irish Film and Television Award (ITFA) with Brian Byrne winning for Best Original Score.