THERE will be the 'look of the Irish' in Callington on Sunday and Monday when the town plays a starring role in a movie.
Shops in the west end of the main street will be the location for filming and locals will be used as extras when Callington becomes the Irish town of Galcranagh.
It is all part of production for a film called 'Conspiracy of Silence' starring Oscar-winning actress Brenda Fricker.
The film tackles the controversial subject of celibacy and its implications for the Catholic Church in the 21st century.
Although set in Ireland, filiming is being carried out in London and Cornwall to make it a British film for tax purposes.
Plans for Callington's Fore Street include adding a green telephone box and creating an external set for 'Mallory's Bar' around the Bull's Head. The Spar shop will conveniently not require a different name like other shops, as there are Spar shops in Ireland.
Caroline Reed, of Expressions hairdresser's in Callington, said she had originally been asked for her shop to be converted into a post office, including internal fittings.
But film makers had a change of heart and had decided to feature just the outside of the shop — which will remain as a hairdresser's with a change of name — while Caroline continues to work inside.
'If they catch me in it it will be wonderful!' said Caroline. 'You wonder if it's really happening!'
Callington Post Office itself will be changed externally to an Irish one, complete with green sign.
Underhill's chemist shop said they had not been contacted for the filming. 'We're quite put out,' they said. 'Perhaps it's because we don't have any leprechauns here!'
Film makers will be taking more than 40 spaces in the car park in New Road and police will be present should traffic need to be temporarily halted — but there is no planned road closure.
Simon Hardy, from the film production company Little Wings Films, said Callington 'felt right' as a setting.
'It has wide streets, which are non-typical for Cornwall but are right for Ireland, and it looks Irish,' he said.
At the end of the month an antiques shop in Church Street, Callington, will be converted into the local newspaper office — appropriately named 'The Gazette' — for internal and external filming over a further two days.
Jonathan Forbes and Jason Barry — who also star in the film — will be taking part in filming in the town.
'Conspiracy of Silence' was inspired by real events. and is directed and written by John Deery. Brenda Fricker, who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for 'My Left Foot' in 1989, will not be coming to the town itself — she has been filming at a farmhouse nearby this week, and other locations near the town are being used.
Little Wing Films originally contacted South West Screen — formerly the South West Film Commission — last September to find suitable locations.
SW Screen spokesperson Sue Craig said the film was good news for the area: 'It will be helpful for Callington and bring investment to the town.'
Callington Deputy Portreeve, Cllr Tony Nettle, welcomed the news that the town had been chosen for filming, hoping it would bring more tourists and business to the town.
Town and district councillor Kath Pascoe agreed: 'I'm absolutely delighted. I know it's only a small part of the film, but it is still good publicity.' She said she was quite happy for people to think the town was Irish.