Flight of the Doves

A rather dark beginning to the film as Finn Dove (Jack Wild) comes into view on the right. Looking along Harold Road towards Manor Place from the corner of Ivar Street in Dublin which was doubling for Liverpool. Identified by Paul Freeney.

Mark o'Neill has promised to return when the sun is not shining into his lens. (RL)

Finn makes his way home where he and his sister are treated cruelly by their step-father. Sráid Íomhair, Baile Átha Cliath (Ivar Street, Dublin) located by Paul Freeney.

Mark has made a note to recapture this shot as well. (RL)

During the titles we see Granny O'Flaherty (Dorothy McGuire) cycling through the Connemara countryside accompanied by her farm hands, Paddy (Emmet Bergin) and Seamus. Paschal Newell found the location in County Galway on the shore of Galway Bay.

Paschal discovered that the boat slip to the right is now covered by grass.

With the Clare Hills in the distance, Martina Burke tells us that this is the small village of Ballinacourty near Clarinbridge in County Galway, and she ought to know as the the wall is that of the field in which her house stands.

Mary O'Flaherty heads to the local town's court to see Judge Liffy after receiving a letter saying that her grandchildren are missing. On the N67 road near Dunguaire Castle, County Galway.

Paschal Newell provides this shot of the location now.

The letter goes on to say that Finn and Derval are beneficiaries in their late grandfathers will and that if they are not found, the estate will pass to their Uncle John Cyril Dove. Dunguaire Castle, Kinvara in County Galway, also seen in 'North Sea Hijack'.

Dunguaire Castle taken by Paschal Newell.

Mary and her hands ride over a bridge. Paschal identifies this as the bridge on entry to Kilcolgan village from the Clarinbridge side.

And Paschal provided this image taken from the safety of the riverbank.

Establishing shot of the town's main signpost. The junction of Glebe, Bridge, Abbey and Main Streets in Ballinrobe, County Mayo.

Paschal Newell provides this view of the current signpost.

Mary cycles into town. Glebe Street, Ballinrobe, County Mayo, Ireland.

The same street, only sunnier, by Paschal Newell.

Mary Magdalene St. Bridget O'Flaherty arrives outside the court. Príomh Sráid, Baile an Roba, Contae Mhaigh Eo.

Paschal Newell captured Main Street in Ballinrobe, County Mayo.

After running away to find Granny O'Flaherty, Finn and his sister Derval Dove (Helen Raye) make their way to Liverpool Docks. Looks very much like Carlisle Pier station at Dún Laoghaire where you could once catch a fast train to Dublin instead of the DART.

Finn and Derval watch a train arrive at Liverpool Docks. Well, this is a CIE (Córas Iompair Éireann) Class 001 locomotive so it would fall either side of the rails in England! The now demolished Carlisle Pier station, Dún Laoghaire in Ireland.

The siblings run for the ferry whilst the Ticket Collector (Des Keogh) deals with a family. Dún Laoghaire Harbour, County Dublin.

The ferry arrives in Dublin after the overnight crossing from Liverpool. The River Liffey with Custom Quay to the right.

A little less marine activity when Mark was there. (RL)

Panning from the previous capture brings the Custom House into view. The location appears in ‘The Quare Fellow’, 'Tim Driscoll's Donkey', ‘The Big Gamble’, 'Girl with Green Eyes' and ‘Shake Hands with the Devil’.

A fine shot of the Custom House and Quay from Mark. (RL)

Finn and Derval disembark. Custom Quay in Dublin 1.

Are those statues new or were they removed for filming? Mark o'Neill (RL)

A Customs Official (Vernon Hayden) challenges the runaways but sees no harm in letting them go. Custom Quay Dublin.

Maybe a Customs Official will reappear after Brexit to enhance Mark's capture. (RL)

Finn and Derval's step-father, Tobias Cromwell (William Rushton) arrives at Dublin Airport. The airport lies to the north of the city.

Standing in the left background is the old Central Terminal as seen from outside the former North Terminal. PW

Detective Inspector Michael Roarke (Brendan O'Reilly) stands by as Cromwell is interviewed for television about his search for the missing children. Dublin Airport near Swords, now in County Fingal.

Dating from the early 1940s, this is the old Central Terminal at Dublin Airport now. PW

Finn and Derval head into the centre of Dublin. Moore Street, Dublin seen from Henry Street.

From ground level now. PW

A Garda is alerted after Finn steals a pie. Moore Street, Dublin.

No Garda, but the same business continues trading in the background. PW

Finn and Derval make a run for it. Lower Ormond Quay between Ha'penny Bridge and Millennium Bridge.

Work in progress at number 34 but numbers 32 and 33 remain visible. PW

The pair dodge through a bus to evade capture. Ormond Quay Lower with the Ha'penny Bridge just visible to the extreme right.

The traffic flows the other way now. PW

Finn and Derval run over Ha'penny Bridge across the River Liffey . . . .

Did they change the name of the bridge with the introduction of the Euro Mark? (RL)

. . . . and into the archway of Merchants' Hall on Wellington Quay . . . which can be seen in 'Rooney' and 'Ulysses'.

A wider view of the same spot. PW

The Garda pursues the children. Ha'penny Bridge (officially Liffey Bridge) running between Bachelors Walk and Wellington Quay in Dublin, which also appears in 'Rooney' and 'Ulysses' as well as 'Quackser Fortune Has a Cousin in the Bronx', 'The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne', 'Another Shore' and '30 Is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia'.

On a wet and windy March morning. PW

Brother and sister continue running. This is Merchants Arch off Temple Bar, Dublin.

The same location. PW

The pursuing Garda asks a colleague if he has seen the children.

Looking from Merchants Arch onto Temple Bar with Crown Alley beyond. PW

The Gardaí look up and down the street. Crown Alley seen from Temple Bar.

The area has seen redeveloped. PW

After hiding in a Synagogue, the kindly Rabbi (Noel Purcell) helps the children escape. Adelaide Road, Dublin.

Paschal Newell provides this wider view of the synagogue which is still standing but now surrounded by glass framed office blocks.

Finn and Derval get caught up in the St Patrick's Day Parade. Ian Wallace has provided the location as People's Flower Garden, Phoenix Park, Dublin. The flower beds remain the same. (RL)

And now Ian provides the confirmation. (RL)

Mickser gives the pair a lift out of Dublin but they run away after seeing him call to claim the reward for them. Outside The Powerscourt Arms in Enniskerry, County Wicklow.

Alan Bourke took this view of the gateway to the left of The Powerscourt Arms

Finn and Derval run from the Laraford Arms. The Square in Enniskerry, which also features in 'Country Dance', 'I See a Dark Stranger', 'Johnny Nobody', ‘Into the West’, ‘P.S. I Love You’, 'The Vengeance of Fu Manchu' and ‘Leap Year’.

The Powerscourt Arms, which was renamed for the film, captured by Alan.

Garda Pat Flynn (Tom Hickey) fails to notice the children as he sets out to find Mickser at the Laraford Arms. Forge Road, Enniskerry in Co. Wicklow identified by Ian Wallace who advises that it is virtually unchanged. (RL)

Alan's shot shows the hardly changed view with, to the right, the forge that the road is named after.

Finn and Derval take the Garda's bike whilst his back is turned. Forge Road in Enniskerry identified by Ian Wallace. (RL)

The house standing next to he forge, taken by Alan Bourke.

That evening, the youngsters take refuge in what looks like an old church. David Vaughey identifies this as the ruined Medieval Parish Church of St. Patrick's at the Hill of Slane in County Meath.

Taking a clearer, daylight shot, Pat Cleary explains that "These Franciscan Monastery ruins dating from 1512 were themselves built on a monastery site founded by St. Erc, a follower of St. Patrick. In 1651, the then resident Capuchin monks were driven out by Oliver Cromwell."

In Athlone, Roarke briefs the local Gardaí about the runaways. Finbarr McSweeney advises that, in reality, this is the courtyard behind the Garda station in Ballinasloe, County Galway.

Mickser arrives at the Garda station with Garda Pat Flynn from Laraford. In 1971, Finbarr McSweeney was also at the rear of Ballinasloe Garda station during filming while his father, the sergeant, was an extra in the production.

Disguised as a Police Chief Inspector Wolcott from Liverpool, John Cyril Dove (Ron Moody) and Mickser (John Molloy) go to search the back of the truck. The courtyard at the Garda station on Dunlo Street in Ballinasloe, County Galway located by Finbarr McSweeney.

Finn and Derval run from the Garda station after being discovered in the truck. Looking along Davis Street from the junction with North Gate Street in Athenry, County Galway.

Paschal Newell provides the modern view.

John Dove, known as 'Hawk', sends Roarke and his men the wrong way before starting his search for the children. Davis Street with Cross Street in the left background.

The jostle stone is missing in Paschal's view.

Hawk becomes entangled with a herd of cows. Facing the north-east on North Gate Street with the corner of Burkes Lane to the right. Ray Greene was in Athenry when filming took place and recalls watching Jack Wild, Ron Moody and Jack Ward in this scene. "I remember one of the cows smashed the windows of a shop and oranges spilling onto the street. Delightful and idyllic memories of an Ireland now vanished."

Looking the same way on North Gate Street by Paschal Newell.

Hawk spots his nephew and niece. North Gate Street with buildings on Davis Street in the left background.

And again, by Paschal.

Finn and Derval run from their uncle. Tim Casey identifies his as Browne’s Lane off the Square in Tuam, County Galway adding that "The lane opened into the Presentation Convent".

The same lane captured by Paschal.

Hawk loses the children and finds himself in a schoolyard. The grounds of St Josephs Convent off Bishop Street in Tuam with the tower of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the right background.

Roarke shouts across at Wolcott after realising that he had been sent on a wild goose chase. Looking towards the junction of Old Church Street and Church Street from Davis Street, Athenry.

Taken from a similar position by Paschal Newell.

Hawk departs after suspecting that he has been discovered to be an impostor. Davis Street at the corner of North Gate Street with Old Church Street and Church Street leading off to the left.

Returning to the location, Paschal Newell updates us on how the street looks now.

Tobias Cromwell asks what they will do next while Detective Inspector Michael Roarke watches Wolcott leave before making enquiries about him. North Gate Street in Athenry, County Galway with the corner of Burkes Lane in the distance.

Paschal Newell takes one last shot of North Gate Street.

Finn and Derval make their way westward after leaving Athlone. Shannon Harbour on the Grand Canal south of Athlone.

The two find a pony and decide to take it with them. Shannon Harbour near Banagher, County Offaly.

Paschal Newell advises that the house has lost its roof, however, the canal has been cleaned up and is now full of pleasure boats.

Young tinkers retrieve their pony and return home with Finn and Derval. Possibly the ruined Clonmacnoise Castle in County Offaly between Shannonbridge and Athlone.

Powder O'Ryan (Barry Keegan) and his daughter Sheila (Dana) agree to help Finn and Derval. An unconfirmed location that may be Clonmacnoise Castle.

Powder and the tinkers smuggle the children into Shannonbridge. In front of St. Kierans church in Shannonbridge, County Offaly.

Paschal Newell returned to Shannonbridge for this comparison.

Hawk Dove appears disguised as Miss Heather Marblestone, a touring journalist. Droichead na Sionainne, Contae Uíbh Fhailí (Shannonbridge, County Offaly).

A quieter day at the church when Paschal visited.

Powder decides to hand the children in after the reward money is increased. Main Street, Shannonbridge, County Offaly.

The same bar taken by Paschal.

Hawk Dove restrains Powder whilst Finn and Dervil get into his car. Main Street, Shannonbridge.

A view of the same building from Paschal.

Still masquerading as Miss Heather Marblestone, Hawk drives away with the children just as Roarke and Cromwell arrive. Main Street, Shannonbridge, County Offaly in Ireland.

Paschal Newell found that the garage is still in business.

Hawk tells the children of his love of Ireland, home of Robbie Burns!! Ian Wallace advises that the garage in the background is Paddy Connolly 4x4 garage (Glen Garage) near Glen O'Downs, Delgany, Co. Wicklow. The road is now a dual carriageway. (RL)

With the garage now outside the carriageway the only option for Pat Cleary was a dashcam shot from the northbound lane.

Finn points out an old castle and Hawk stops the car. Ian Wallace has established that this was filmed immediately south of Horkan's Garden Centre, Glen of the Downs, Delgany at Junction 9 on the N11 in County Wicklow, on the other side of the road to Glen Garage. The house to the right appears to have survived the road widening scheme and the smaller white house has apparently had shutters added. (RL)

54 years of thick foliage didn't allow Pat Cleary to take an exact shot so this is from the bridge over the carriageway. Even the the Little Sugar Loaf Mountain in the background is almost entirely hidden. A steel shed retail display centre now dominates the area.

Hawk remarks that the castle is 'perfect'. Dunluce Castle, Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Hawk takes the children into the castle.

Derval is led through the ruins by Hawk after she notices his identifying tattoo. An unconfirmed location likely to be Dunluce Castle.

The two orphans stand near a precarious drop as Hawk makes his intentions clear. Ian Wallace firmly believes that this is also Dunluce Castle as the cliffs in the background appear to be where Finn and Derval are standing in the next capture and Therese Ellard confirms that it is definitely Dunluce castle, which is now in the hands of the National Trust.

Finn and Derval make their way from the castle after Hawk falls into the sea. Dunluce Castle in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Derval looks over Finn's shoulder as he hugs her and she sees Granny's cottage. A location that's meant to be in Connemara and sure enough, Sandra Heinen found an article in The Irish Times from September 1971 in which Ultan Macken states that the scenes were shot beside Lough Corrib in County Galway. Crossman20 confirms what was written explaining that this is Ardaun on the shore of Lough Corrib, a couple of miles west of Cong.

Paddy and Seamus find the children and take them to the cottage. Crossman20 pinpoints the location as Ardaun beside Lough Corrib in Connacht, part of the cultural region of Connemara.

Mary O'Flaherty welcomes her grandchildren. Sandra Heinen directs us to an article in The Irish Times from 1971 in which Ultan Macken states that the scenes were shot beside Lough Corrib while Crossman20 adds that the building burned down sometime in the 1970s and was renovated with a slated roof in 1978.

Roarke, Judge Liffy (Stanley Holloway) and Cromwell discuss the children's future with Mary O'Flaherty. Again, this is identified in Ultan Macken's newspaper article as beside Lough Corrib in County Galway which Crossman20 confirms as Ardaun.