The Dawn was the first full-length, Irish-made, feature film and it was filmed in and around Killarney during 1934 and 1935. It was the brain-child of the remarkable Tom Cooper, a local man who both starred in and also directed the film. The plot centres on the Irish War of Independence and the conflict between members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the British Black and Tans. The actors, all local people, were amateurs. An old building located on the Railway Road in Killarney, owned by the Kerry Electric Supply Company Ltd., was used as a studio. The Dublin premier of the film took place on 27 May 1936. It was released in America under the title Dawn Over Ireland.
Tadhg O’Sullivan knew Tom Cooper and was one of those who participated in the making of The Dawn. In these recordings he recalls many interesting details and events relating to the project.