Ardán Supporting Macha

Bellinter House and Ardán Collective Support Macha: An Irish Film Giving Voice to Endometriosis

Historic houses are shaped by the stories they hold. At Bellinter House Hotel & Spa, we were proud to join Ardán Collective in supporting the production of Macha, a powerful Irish short film raising awareness of endometriosis.

Blending contemporary drama with Irish mythology, Macha was filmed across several Ardán Collective properties, including Bellinter House Hotel & Spa, Marine Hotel Sutton and Ballagh House in Navan.

The film premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh in July 2026 and has since received further attention for its sensitive and powerful approach to Irish storytelling. As highlighted by the Meath Chronicle, Bellinter House played an important role in bringing the film’s mythological world to life.

What is the Irish short film Macha about?

Directed by Shane Robinson, written by and starring Niamh Mahony, and produced by Croía McDermott, Macha follows Ana as she searches for answers after undergoing surgery for endometriosis.

When her pain and concerns are dismissed, Ana draws strength from Macha, the Irish goddess associated with war and fertility. Moving between the modern world and an atmospheric mythological landscape, the film follows Ana’s journey as she fights to reclaim her voice and be heard.

The story also explores the effect endometriosis can have on families and loved ones. Ana’s father, Fionn, played by John Quinn, struggles with the helplessness of watching someone he loves live with pain he cannot take away.

Inspired in part by Niamh Mahony’s own experience of living with endometriosis, the film combines mythology with lived experience to help audiences better understand the physical and emotional impact of the condition.

How did Ardán Collective support the production of Macha?

Ardán Collective supported the filmmakers by providing access to several distinctive locations across its collection of Irish properties.

The grounds of Bellinter House Hotel & Spa provided the backdrop for the film’s mythological scenes. Our historic Georgian estate, mature parkland and connection to the Boyne Valley helped the filmmakers create a setting that felt both otherworldly and unmistakably Irish.

Additional filming took place at Marine Hotel Sutton, overlooking Dublin Bay, and Ballagh House in Navan. Local background actors from County Meath also joined the production, adding an important sense of place and community to the film.

By opening these properties to the cast and crew, Ardán Collective helped give the filmmakers the variety of settings and support needed to bring their vision to the screen.

Why was Bellinter House chosen for the mythological scenes?

Bellinter House sits on the south bank of the River Boyne, within sight of the ancient Hill of Tara. Surrounded by a landscape steeped in history, folklore and mythology, it offered a natural home for a story connecting modern Ireland with the world of an ancient Irish goddess.

One of the film’s most striking scenes was captured beneath Bellinter’s iconic Weeping Beech, affectionately known as our Wedding Tree. With the addition of theatrical haze, the familiar grounds were transformed into an atmospheric mythological landscape.

The setting helped create a visual connection between Ana’s modern experience and the strength and symbolism of Macha. It also demonstrated how the historic landscape of County Meath continues to inspire new Irish storytelling.

You can discover more about the estate and its connection to the Boyne Valley on our history of Bellinter House page.

Why does the story of Macha matter?

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition that can cause significant pain and affect many aspects of a person’s life. The Endometriosis Association of Ireland estimates that approximately 155,000 women in Ireland are affected by the condition.

Symptoms and experiences can vary considerably, making endometriosis difficult to recognise and diagnose. Many people live with pain for years before receiving clear answers, appropriate treatment or the reassurance that their experiences are being taken seriously.

By using dramatic storytelling rather than a traditional documentary format, Macha can introduce the subject to audiences who might not otherwise engage with conversations about endometriosis.

The film encourages greater awareness, understanding and compassion. At its heart is a simple but powerful message: people living with pain deserve to be listened to and believed.

Proud to support important Irish storytelling

Ardán Collective’s commitment to supporting endometriosis awareness made the opportunity to help bring Macha to the screen especially meaningful.

Through the generosity and support of Ardán Collective Founder and CEO Sheila O’Riordan, together with the teams at Bellinter House Hotel & Spa, Marine Hotel Sutton and Ballagh House, the filmmakers were given access to the locations they needed to realise their ambitious vision.

In a recent Film Ireland interview, Niamh Mahony reflected on the importance of Ardán Collective’s belief in the project and its support throughout production.

We are proud that our properties played a part in an Irish film with such an important purpose. We wish Niamh Mahony, Shane Robinson, Croía McDermott and the entire cast and crew every success as Macha continues its festival journey and brings greater awareness to the experiences of those living with endometriosis.

Read the full Meath Chronicle feature

Read the full Meath Chronicle article to learn more about the making of Macha, the people behind the film and how Bellinter House helped bring its mythological world to the screen.