Where The Old Man Lives

Michael is an elderly farmer with an ordinary life living in a rural part of the West of Ireland. In his fear and isolation, he relies on the solace of prayer in his daily routine. His paranoia of being burgled becomes apparent as he hides his savings in his mattress, and spills sand across his driveway to detect unwelcome visitors.

Michael’s fears are realised when he notices a suspicious youth watching his every move at a rural mart.

The story takes a turn for Michael after he returns home to find his house ransacked. His constant fear forces him to move into his barn, where he mistakes his neighbour, Seanie, for an intruder.

Michael’s sister Margaret (70s), is very concerned for him. In her presence he becomes lucid, reminiscing about childhood memories where he almost suffocated. Margaret encourages Michael to focus on rebuilding the farm and getting his life back together.

Days pass, and a suspicious car patrolling the countryside appears at Michael’s house. Two young criminals are revealed, with the younger of the two being the one watching Michael in the mart earlier.

As one of the criminals enters and prowls around Michael’s house, Michael is in fervent prayer for salvation from his desperate situation.

The final scenes reveal that Michael has taken refuge in a nursing home. His prayers are interrupted by a nurse who comforts and then leads Michael through the corridors of the nursing home, his new sanctuary from his fears in the outside world.

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