‘Beo Faoin bhFód’ is a new Irish language documentary, commissioned and funded by TG4 and Coimisiún na Meán, about a man who buried himself alive to reach fame and fortune.
The film premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh and was screened at the IFI Documentary Festival and the Kerry International Film Festival.
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In 1968, Ballyporeen native Mick Meaney was buried six feet under the London soil in a simple wooden coffin.
Hundreds came to see his burial and toast Mick on his way.
The thing was, Mick was not dead.
He was competing in the world record competition for “Longest Time Spent Buried Alive.”
Incredibly, Mick was not the first.
The story begins in 1920s California and ends with a Dutch nun buried under a fairground in Skegness.
Using never-before-seen archive, animation, and interviews with people who personally knew Mick, the story is brought to life through the eyes of his loving daughter, who grapples with her father’s bizarre legacy.
‘Beo Faoin bhFód’ is a fun and unique look at a bizarre event, largely forgotten from the history books.
The programme uses unseen archive, bespoke animation, and first-hand accounts to tell the story like a yarn by the fire in a warm pub.
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But it’s about more than a quirky historical tale — it’s about a father-daughter relationship and the desire to be remembered.
There’s an unexpected emotional depth, driven by Mary Meaney’s incredible interview performance.
The story will resonate especially with Irish viewers aged 35+, with interests in unusual history, emigration, and family legacies.
It also connects with communities of Irish who worked in London in the 60s and 70s, as well as people from Mitchelstown and Cobh. Beo Faoin bhFód is produced by Black Lobster Productions.
In 1968, Irish labourer Mick Meaney allowed himself to be buried alive for 61 days beneath a builder’s yard in London.
He hoped to break a world record and escape poverty.
The stunt became an international media event.
Afterwards, there were claims that organiser Butty Sugrue swindled Mick out of profits.
Mick returned to Mitchelstown and passed away in 2003.
