TV documentary to lay bare the life of the legendary Christy Brown 

Perhaps best known by many people as the poet portrayed by Oscar-winner Daniel Day-Lewis in hit film My Left Foot, Christy Brown was a remarkable man and spirit.

There is a chance to find out more about his life in Christy Brown: Self Portrait on RTÉ1 on Wednesday at 9.35pm.

The film offers an intimate and unfiltered look at the life of the Dubliner, narrated by actor Aidan Gillen, and featuring Saoirse Ronan bringing Brown’s poetry to life.

The programme challenges the narrative solidified by the 1989 Oscar-winning movie, which introduced Christy’s story to a global audience but limited his legacy.

Christy Brown: Self Portrait expands this view, portraying him as he wanted to be remembered: as a serious poet whose voice reached beyond the constraints of his physical condition.

Reimagining Christy’s story through his own words, the film draws from his poetry, letters, and lesser-known writings.

“It assembles a more complete, honest view of Christy,” says writer and director Alex Verner. “Through his poems, we see a man confronting struggles but refusing to let them define him. It’s raw, unfiltered, and deeply human.”

Ronan’s readings bring Christy’s poems to life, revealing the depth of his inner world.

His brother-in-law, Willie Jones, shares: “He wanted others to read his poetry because he couldn’t. When we did, people understood him.”

With access to Christy’s personal archive - letters, photographs, and artworks - the film explores the relationships and challenges that shaped his work.

From his bond with his mother, Bridget, to his turbulent connection with his wife, Mary Carr, it examines the forces that coloured his life. 

The film also features insights from those who knew and respected Christy, including Jim Sheridan, John Banville, Mary Duffy, Dr. Rosaleen McDonagh, Peter Sheridan, and Christy’s youngest sibling, Ann Jones.

This marks the third RTÉ documentary by Irish filmmaking brothers Alex and Joel Verner of Averner Films, following their award-winning and RTS-award nominated documentaries Jack B. Yeats: The Man Who Painted Ireland (narrated by Pierce Brosnan) and Untameable (narrated by Ciarán Hinds), both written with Colm Tóibín.