Post-screening Q&A with director Kevin L Smith and folklorist Aindrias de Staic.
Off the coast of West Clare lies Cill Stuifín, a village long believed to have been swallowed by the sea, some say by a freak wave, others by an ancient curse.
In this cinematic documentary, folklorist Aindrias de Staic follows in his late father’s footsteps to uncover the truth behind one of Ireland’s most enduring maritime legends.
For generations, stories of Cill Stuifín have been passed down along the Clare coast: tales of a lost settlement beneath the Atlantic, strange warnings, ancient curses and a mysterious reef that continues to capture the imagination of those who live beside it.
As folklore collides with science, geologists and marine experts investigate the landscape beneath the waves and uncover evidence of a powerful cataclysmic event that may have helped shape the legend.
At the same time, some of Ireland’s most experienced big wave surfers take on the formidable reef itself, confronting the same Atlantic forces that have fuelled stories of Cill Stuifín for centuries.
Blending folklore, marine science, personal history, spectacular underwater imagery and big wave surfing, Cill Stuifín is a visually striking exploration of memory, myth and the enduring power of the sea.
Winner – Best Irish Language Film, Galway Film Fleadh 2026.
