Mullingar to feature on the Angelus in the run-up to Christmas

Residents of Mullingar will see some familiar sights on the RTE Angelus in the coming weeks.

Local stained glass artist Tony Wheatley was filmed in the Handmade Design studio for the iconic TV minute, which offers a moment to pray or pause at 6pm everyday.

The team from Kairos Communications, who produced the film, had seen Tony Wheatley working with glass during the recent fleadh and were struck by the colour and art of his compositions. In the programme, as Tony cuts and carves the glass into shape, his work is intercut with scenes of the busy and bustling Christmas season in Mullingar.

The setting for the work, in the beautiful design studio on Mount Street, allowed the film crew to shoot the colour and noise of the town in the build up to Christmas. Owner, Claire Delabre, was delighted to facilitate the shoot and she and Tony shared art and design tips as curious passersby looked in from the window.

On the day of filming the Mullingar Town Band were playing in Market Square and their music and colour add to the flavour of this special minute. The finished angel and crib were placed in the window of Oznam House, as a reminder of the vital work of St Vincent de Paul and the message at the heart of the first Christmas. A message even more timely in the midst of cost of living crisis.

Produced by Kairos Communications and filmed by John Fay cameraman, the Mullingar Angelus will begin airing this week on RTE1.