Film

Nothing to Declare

The story of two Irish boys aged 10 and 13 on a stowaway adventure of a lifetime from Dublin to New York in the summer of 1985.
 
two men sit facing each other on a bench, with a cityscape in the distance between them

About

Running time

30 minutes

Country / Nationality

Ireland

Our Judges say:

An adventure so amazing that would be ridiculed if made in Hollywood. Very likeable characters and a window onto a different time.

Simon Taylor

This story is absolutely MENTAL. A couple of young Irish rapscallions bunk onto a flight to New York and tell the story 30 years later. Unlike any other film you'll see in the festival, or anywhere else. Brilliantly well made too. Fantastic.

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

A truly remarkable story of two streetwise boys from Ireland on an adventure of a lifetime. Throw in a major terrorism alert and some wonderful 1980's nostalgia.

Hannah Maia

What an adventure!

Jimmy Hyland

Keith Byrne (10) and Noel Murray (13) from Darndale had run away before, but evading the authorities in three countries was a first – even for them ! In August 1985 they began an incredible adventure that would see the young duo leaving home and eventually ending up in New York having arrived there on an Air India flight from London. Their journey baffled security in three countries, caused a major terrorism alert and left their parents in the dark about their whereabouts for days. Now thirty six years later and for the first time on screen together, Keith and Noel recount their adventure. Their story had the Irish nation talking as they created international headlines, however they reveal the life that followed after the headlines faded. A nostalgic trip of adventure with two men who ran away from home and captured the heart of the nation.