Blue Road: The Edna O'Brien Story will be released next year

Sky has announced the release of Blue Road: The Story of Edna O'Briena feature film about the life of Irish literary great Edna O'Brien, who died last month at the age of 93. Release is planned for 2025.

This film examines Edna's identity as one of the most controversial women of her generation as she gives her final on-camera interview and describes what it means to know there is little time left. It also explores her path as an artist who refuses to be categorized.

It includes never-before-seen extracts from their personal diaries, read by Oscar-nominated actress Jessie Buckley, as well as perspectives from Gabriel Byrne, Walter Mosley and a host of renowned writers, including Booker Prize winner Anne Enright and poet Doireann Ní Ghríofa.

“It was a great privilege to work with Edna O'Brien on this film,” commented director Sinéad O'Shea. “She invested so much time into this film in her final year. Edna was full of talent, pain, fun, glamour and contradictions and ultimately had one of the most extraordinary lives of any Irish person. I am proud to share Blue Road with an Irish audience.”

JD Buckley, CEO of Sky Ireland, said: “Blue Road is as frank, dark and enchanting as her timeless writing.”

O'Brien died last month at the age of 93. President Michael D. Higgins paid tribute to the author, saying: “It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of a dear friend of Sabina and me, Edna O'Brien.

“Enda O'Brien is one of the most outstanding writers of modern times; her work is considered a role model all over the world.

“Edna was a fearless truth-teller, a brilliant writer who had the moral courage to confront Irish society with realities that had long been ignored and suppressed.”

“I remember reading The Country Girls as a young man”, Hot press Editor Niall Stokes said: “And I felt that this was the kind of Irish women I knew: independent, headstrong and strong.”

The film will be released on Sky Arts and NOW in 2025 and will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. It will be released in Irish cinemas by Breakout Pictures later this year.