Industry by the River: A History of Kilmainham Mill, Dublin traces the Mill’s evolution from its early beginnings to its recent stabilisation. The documentary highlights key milestones in the Mill’s development, revealing its architectural and industrial significance as well as its longstanding role within the local community.
Drawing on a rich collection of oral-history interviews — from former workers and families connected to the Mill, to local historians, preservation advocates, and the architects and engineers involved in its stabilisation — the documentary offers a vivid and personal perspective on the site. Combined with archival materials and contemporary on-site footage, these stories bring the history of Kilmainham Mill to life.
To watch this, and all other films of our 2026 selection for FREE online, just send us a blank e-mail to register@history-filmfestival.com and automatically receive this year’s code. Availible from 1st to 7th of October 2026. For more details see Take Part.
Director Biography – Oliver Deane, Kilian Waters
Oliver Deane is the Communications Manager at Dublin City Council Culture Company’s 14 Henrietta Street. In his role, he has contributed to a number of projects, including the Making a Museum video series and the Kilmainham Mill oral history project. With a background in Multimedia and a degree from DCU, Oliver is an avid photographer and videographer with a deep interest in social history.
Kilian Waters is an award winning filmmaker, video designer and creative producer. He has over fifteen years experience directing, shooting, editing and producing across a wide range of projects. Some of his work for screen includes Turnaround by Aisling Byrne, Winner Best Short Galway International Film Festival 2024 (short film) Cinematographer — May 2024, Misread by Aisling Byrne, Ardán/ RTÉ Short Film Commission (short film) Producer -March 2023, Headspace by Aisling Byrne, Winner Best Short Cork International Film Festival 2023 (short film) Cinematographer — June 2022, Lamb Sinéad O’Loughlin, Winner Best Short Dublin International Film Festival 2023 (short film) Editor — April 2022, Writing Home with Poetry Ireland (Documentary) Director — March 2022, A Burning Tide with Irish Writers Centre (Feature Film) Co-Producer / Director — September 2021, Stray by Sinead O’Loughlin (Short Film) Creative Producer / Editor — May 2019, Falling Out Of Standing by CoisCéim & Anu, (Short Film).
As co-director of Arcade Film Kilian also produces, shoots and edits a variety of films and documentaries for artists, private companies and arts organisations.
| Oliver Deane Director Kilian Waters Director Tracey Bardon Producer Oliver Deane Producer Donal Fallon Producer Laura Keogh Producer Joan Bergin Key Cast Tom Brunkard Key Cast Frank Cullen Key Cast Annie Dibble Key Cast Sara Donaldson Key Cast Michael O’Flanagan Key Cast Pat Garry Key Cast Fred Hamond Key Cast Catherine Heaney Key Cast Nóirín Kennedy Key Cast John O’Loughlin Kennedy Key Cast Paul O’Loughlin Kennedy Key Cast Michael Nelson Key Cast Justine Murphy Key Cast Lucy O’Connor Key Cast Donncha Ó Dúlaing Key Cast Liz Rackard Key Cast Angela Rolfe Key Cast Damian Shine Key Cast Fergus Whelan Key Cast |
