Iconic GAA shorts signed by Paul Mescal are among a host of Normal People souvenirs going under the hammer in a charity auction in aid of Ukrainian filmmakers.
As part of a campaign organised by a group of independent Irish filmmakers (Filmmakers supporting Filmmakers), Element Pictures, and Director Lenny Abrahamson, have also donated a signed script of the first episode and signed hardback book of scripts, featuring photography by Enda Bowe.
Fans went wild when Paul was photographed out and about in the O’Neills shorts after the series aired, with fashion house Gucci even designing imitation pairs for sale as people from here to Hollywood wanted to jump in on the trend.
Read More : Una Healy and pal Lynsey Bennett enjoy 'magic' time at Disneyland with kids
The distinctive blue and yellow GAA shorts are also, of course, in the blue and yellow colours of Roscommon, Clare, Tipperary and Ukraine.
The Normal People Auction is being organised by Órla Murphy who in March gathered together a group of independent Irish filmmakers ‘Filmmakers supporting Filmmakers’ to raise funds and awareness.
All funds raised in this auction will go via the Screen Directors Guild of Ireland, (SDGI(, to the Docudays.ua Ukraine Appeal to support filmmakers still documenting the war within Ukraine and to the ICFR Ukraine appeal https://www.icfr.international to support filmmakers from Ukraine & Russia who may need to relocate.
Veteran Film set auctioneer Sean Eacrett is hosting the timed auction on easyliveauctions.com.
The auction is open online now, Wednesday June 29th, until closing on Sunday July 17th at 6pm.
Murphy said: "In sending these funds to our fellow filmmakers we are also sending a message of solidarity, hope and respect."
Founder and company director of Element Pictures Ed Guiney said: "What is happening in Ukraine is utterly devastating. Along with Lenny Abrahamson, we at Element are proud to be supporting these charities and admire their brilliant work to help filmmakers."
Darya Busel, chief programmer of the Ukrainian documentary filmmaker festival Docudays.ua, said: "For the past four months, Ukrainian filmmakers are risking their lives and mental health to document the atrocities of war and let the world know about the war crimes, but not only that – they are gathering footage for future films.
"I'm sure the films that will emerge from the work that is being done now will help us to understand this historical moment, when the whole world has to reconsider the principles on which it is built.
"These films to come will help us to face our traumas and to reconnect with ourselves.
"Because the worst thing the war is doing to you is that it takes your life from you. In every possible way; you can no longer plan anything, you are parted with your loved ones, you lose your home and everything you’ve been working so hard your whole life for… and in the end, one day, you can even be killed.
"It’s true that maybe cinema cannot change anything in the short term but it can definitely change a lot in the long perspective. On behalf of our colleagues in Docudays and in Ukrainian film, I am very thankful to all who donate to support us in doing this important work."
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
READ NEXT:
