THE town of Donaghadee was transformed into 1970s Ireland last
week as film crews rolled into town, complete with Irish-language street
signs, vintage props and a host of familiar faces.
Passers-by could have been forgiven for doing a double take on Friday as temporary Irish-
language street signs appeared across the town as part of the set for Bender, a coming-of-age comedy currently being filmed at locations across Northern Ireland.
Set in 1970s Ireland, the film follows a group of teenage misfits who use the Pope’s visit as cover for their own adventure.
The cast includes US comedian Bill Burr and Chris O’Dowd, while the screenplay
was co-written by Northern Ireland comedian Ciaran Bartlett, who was also on set.
Bartlett recently made a well-received return to stand-up with a guest appearance at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena, where he was also joined for a surprise set by Bill Burr after an absence of almost two years from the stage.
