The National Federation of Voluntary Bodies presented the Irish premiere of ‘Monica and David’ at the Galway Film Fleadh on Wednesday 7th July 2010 in the Town Hall Theatre, Galway. The event was a huge success with over 130 people attending from all walks of life.
The documentary film ‘Monica and David’ depicts the engagement, wedding and first year of marriage of Monica and David, a couple in the US who both have Down Syndrome. The Irish Times, reporting from the Galway Film Fleadh on the day, highlighted the number of people who were eagerly awaiting the film and discussion.

The film was followed by a lively debate looking at relationships and intellectual disability in Ireland chaired by Fergus Finlay. The panel consisted of Anka Ott and James Cronin - a couple who are engaged to be married; Marie Wolfe, a member of the 'Research Into Action Group' in Galway; Francis Coughlan - Chairperson of the Research SubCommittee of the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies and CEO of intellectual disability service providers 'SOS' in Kilkenny; and Willie Walsh - parent of a child with a disability from Mayo. There was great engagement and interaction with the audience.  

The screening of the film forms part of the action agenda in 2010 of the Research Sub Committee of the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies. Every year a different topic is the focus of the work of the Committee and this year's topic is 'Relationships and Quality of Service'. The National Federation of Voluntary Bodies would particularly like to thank the Galway Film Fleadh for working with us on this important event and for including us on the programme of the festival in 2010.

Find out more about the film ‘Monica and David’ on http://www.monicaanddavid.com/