I'm an ex-GAA star, now I'm starring in a film documentary with my wife about our philosophical retreats

The Irish Sun

25-06-2025

FORMER Wexford hurling captain Diarmuid Lyng and his spoken word artist wife Siobhán de Paor are the subject of a new documentary.
The 44-year-old spoke to
3
He and Siobhán are running retreats to help people with their minds as well as bodies
3
Lyng was a leading figure for the Yellowbellies from 2004-2013
3
His career was honoured in a 2020 episode of TG4's Laochra Gael
It centres on how they're fronting retreats that "aim to reclaim indigenous Irish identity, customs, religion, and language."
Their retreats involve festivals crammed full of Irish customs with hurling featuring prominently.
Irish language poetry is also cited as a core element of these spiritual getaways.
The documentary tracks Diarmuid, Siobhán and friends over the course of a 10-day retreat which is described as a pilgrimage.
Read More On GAA
A Fierce Quiet Films production, IMMRÁM was directed by Mieke Vanmechelen and Michael Holly.
The former spoke to Wexford Weekly ahead of its premiere about its primary vision.
He outlined: 'Immrám is an immersive, experimental documentary, more of a sensorial journey than a traditional narrative.
"We recognised Diarmuid and Siobhán's open-mindedness, thoughtfulness, and engagement in a broader cultural dialogue, which makes them fascinating subjects.
Most read in GAA Hurling
"In a post-Catholic, neo-liberal Ireland, they are working to establish new cultural and spiritual connections that resonate with nature. I believe that viewers will find their journey truly inspiring.
'Footage and interviews with the Lyng family are juxtaposed with archival television footage of John Moriarty.
Tomas O'Se calls out GAA's mid-season rule change but fellow Sunday Game pundit disagrees
"Moriarty wanted to reconnect with his wild nature to decivilise himself by living a life in communion with the rhythms of nature and engaging with the profundities of mystical philosophies from around the world.
"Viewers will encounter poetic visuals, personal moments of ritual and contemplation, and a meaningful exploration of Irish culture, ecology, and spirituality, all accompanied by a beautiful musical score composed by Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh.'
The 90-minute production will be available to watch at the Galway Film Fleadh on Saturday, July 12.
Those based elsewhere in the country who would like to see it should keep an eye on related social media channels as further screening locations and times will be revealed in time.
HURLING JOURNEY
Lyng walked away from inter-county hurling at the relatively early age of 31 having been left
Upon his return in a coaching capacity in 2017, he told SunSport: 'It's interesting, I didn't have it for the last few years because I fell out with hurling.
'I was left broken from hurling and that was my own relationship with it.
'Hurling didn't do it, it was how I applied myself to it and how I allowed myself to be treated by the game. My own relationship with the game just broke me.
'That doesn't matter though, my body was physically f***ed so I had to rebuild and try to understand why I allowed myself to get to that point.
'I allowed myself to be dictated and overindulge in something that's just a game that you play and enjoy.
"It's a pastime in a sense and at that level now it's increasingly professional in its outlook and everything else.'