Dublin Festival to screen movie on man's amazing life in Kilkenny

Three years ago the community of Callan said goodbye to a man who, although not born in the locality, had grown to become an integral part of life in the town and surrounding areas.

Now the life of ‘social pioneer’ Patrick Lydon is being celebrated in a movie-length documentary about the special life he built for himself and so many others, in rural Kilkenny.

‘Born That Way’ tells the story of the young American man who went from being a rock journalist in Boston to driving the inclusive Camphill Community Movement here in Ireland.

The documentary has been created by film maker Éamon Little who spent time with Patrick in his final year. During that time Patrick reflected on the life that took him from America to sharing his life with people of diverse needs and abilities.

Patrick’s lens on the world raises searching questions about ideas of disability and inclusion and shines a special light on the otherness in our society.

In 2021, just as Patrick began collaborating with Éamon on a work to mark Camphill’s 50 years in the Republic of Ireland, he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

As well as looking back on his fascinating life, the circumstances allowed Éamon to document Patrick’s efforts to lay the ground for posthumous, ‘green-shoot’ projects and prepare for his own death.
Born That Way shows us Patrick as a man of extraordinary vision, energy and effectiveness. At its centre is the beautiful love story of a heroic couple and the community around them.

A year to the day after filming began, Patrick’s ashes were laid to rest.

The documentary will have its first screening at the Dublin International Film Festival this Friday, February 28.
A 20-minute question and answer session is scheduled for after the sold-out screening.