Jack Rowan and Kieron J. Walsh Discuss ‘Skintown’ Ahead of Edinburgh Premiere: A Coming-of-Age Story Beyond the Troubles

Actor Jack Rowan and director Kieron J. Walsh are preparing to debut their new film ‘Skintown’ at the Edinburgh International Film Festival this year, bringing audiences a coming-of-age drama set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland’s 1994 ceasefire.

The film, adapted from Ciarán McMenamin’s 2018 novel, tells the story of two young friends, Vinny and Jonty, navigating life during a pivotal moment in their country’s history. Rather than centering on the conflict itself, Walsh and Rowan wanted to capture something more personal the hopes, dreams and anxieties of young people living through extraordinary change.

“This isn’t a film about the Troubles,” Walsh explained, stressing that ‘Skintown’ focuses instead on the characters’ individual journeys and their search for a better life. “It’s about what it means to be young during a time of possibility and uncertainty.”

Rowan, who stars alongside Chris Walley and ‘Derry Girls’ actress Jamie Lee O’Donnell, praised the script’s ability to balance drama with humor while authentically depicting working-class life in mid-1990s Northern Ireland. “The heart of this story is the friendship between these two characters,” he said. “Everything else flows from that relationship.”

The emotional weight of their performances, combined with Walsh’s knack for grounded storytelling, creates a film that feels both intimate and universally resonant. By focusing on friendship and resilience rather than political conflict, ‘Skintown’ offers viewers a fresh lens through which to understand a significant chapter in Irish history.

As the film heads to Edinburgh, Rowan and Walsh hope audiences will connect with its central message: that even in turbulent times, young people find ways to dream, laugh and support one another as they navigate an uncertain future.