There are few words in the English language as overused as “timeless.” But when discussing the Academy Award-winning film classic “The Quiet Man,” the term just scratches the surface. Writer Gerry McNee described it as, “a story for all ages that promises to bring joy and entertainment for generations to come…Director John Ford found the right actors, injected both Homer and humor, and the rest is cinematic history.”
The movie masterpiece starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara was first released in the spring of 1952. The 2027 John Wayne Birthday Celebration will be pulling out all the stops in celebrating 75 years of the landmark motion picture during the weekend of May 28 & 29 in Winterset, Iowa.
Events will be centered at the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum, The Iowa Theater, a Fly-In breakfast at the Winterset Airport, and a John Wayne Birthplace 5K Run/Walk. The picturesque Covered Bridges Winery just north of Winterset will host our ever-popular main event which will feature a benefit auction, Irish music, heavy appetizers and, this year, “The Quiet Man” projected on a giant outdoor movie screen.
Did you ever long to go across the sea to Ireland? This might be the year. The names of every ticketed attendee will be entered in a drawing for a trip for two to the Emerald Isle including round-trip air transportation, a three-night stay at Michaeleen’s Manor B&B in the heart of Quiet Man country and private tours of the dozen or so film locations.
Seating is limited for all ticketed activities so booking early is strongly recommended.
For reservations call 515-462-1044 or purchase online at the link below.
John Wayne Birthday Celebration:
Dinner & Auction
Saturday, May 29, 2027
5:00 pm at Covered Bridges Winery
2207 170th Trail, Winterset
General seating, $75
*Rain or shine, no refunds or exchanges
Directions to Covered Bridges Winery
John Wayne:
Dreaming the Quiet Man
Friday, May 28, 2027
7:00 pm at The Iowa Theater
121 N. John Wayne Drive, Winterset
Ticket: $75
In this emotional and entertaining documentary director Se’ Merry Doyle explores the tenacity of director John Ford and his twenty-year struggle to bring the classic film The Quiet Man to the screen.
The Quiet Man would go on to become a world wide box-office sensation, and win John Ford the Academy Award for Best Director, and Winton C. Hoch and Archie Stout Oscars for Best Cinematography.
Doyle’s documentary features interviews with film notables including leading lady Maureen O’Hara and directors Martin Scorsese, Peter Bogdanovich and Jim Sheridan, who share the indelible impact that the film has had on their lives and influenced their careers. This revealing behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Ford classic is highlighted with rare and never-before-seen home movies documenting the cast and crew’s time filming in Ireland.
Narrated by Gabriel Byrne with filmed insights provided by our own Aissa Wayne, John Ford: Dreaming The Quiet Man provides viewers with a unique glimpse inside the making of a time-tested classic.
This splendid film will be presented at The Iowa Theater in Winterset on Friday, May 28, at 7pm. Complimentary Jameson Irish Whiskey will be served with no one measuring portions.
For reservations call 515-462-1044 or purchase online at the link above.
A Major Prize Giveaway
Win a trip to Ireland for two and walk in the footsteps of “The Quiet Man”
“Could you tell me the way to Inisfree?” asks John Wayne’s Sean Thornton as he steps down from the train in the opening scene of the 1952 film classic, “The Quiet Man.” That’s a very tough question because the little town is purely fictional and not found on any map of Ireland. But die-hard movie fans who long to visit film locations are never disappointed because practically every site remains intact and nearly identical to how it appeared in the film.
The village of Cong in County Mayo is where the Hollywood crew was headquartered and where the greater part of the scenes were filmed. Most are within walking distance of each other.
As an exciting incentive to book early for the 2027 John Wayne Birthday Celebration’s Salute to the 75th Anniversary of the much-loved motion picture, every reservation to both our Friday and Saturday events will be entered in a drawing for a trip to Ireland to walk in the footsteps of the Quiet Man. In other words, two reservations equals two entries.
Included will be round trip air transportation from anywhere in the continental United States, three nights lodging at the award-winning Michaeleen’s Manor B&B in Cong (www.michaeleensmanor.com) and a private guided tour of all nearby locations as well as a chauffeur-driven tour of locations in the hinterlands. Included will be the bridge where the voice of Sean Thornton’s mother remembers the joys of his childhood, the site of the thrilling horse race and Sean’s cottage (today a ruin) nestled in the gorgeous Maam Valley.
The drawing will be conducted on May 29 and winner need not be present.
John Wayne Birthplace board members, staff and immediate family are ineligible to participate in the drawing.
Beloved Songs From “The Quiet Man”
“The Quiet Man” has been described as a romantic comedy, a storybook version of Ireland and even a travelog. And for those who love the memorable soundtrack it might also be considered a musical. As the John Wayne Birthplace salutes the 75th anniversary of this timeless motion picture, we’ll be featuring outstanding entertainment, including ballads and bagpipes.
Lindsay (Nevins) Baessler of Winterset is a classically trained award-winning performer with close ties to the Irish heritage celebrated in the film. Her love of traditional Irish folksongs comes naturally; the Nevins family name can be traced to 12th-century County Galway, the same region director John Ford’s ancestors called home.
Those of us who have been enthralled by Lindsay’s renditions of “Galway Bay,” “I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen” and “Isle of Innisfree” will attest that her voice is on par with Maureen O’Hara Herself.
No strangers to the John Wayne Birthplace, the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band is celebrating a milestone of their own. Founded in Chicago in 1926, the Shannon Rovers, named for the longest river in Ireland, are a national institution. For many decades the band has led Chicago’s annual Saint Patrick’s Day parade and has performed at countless sporting events. Having once performed for President John F. Kennedy, the Rovers were honored to be invited to march in Kennedy’s funeral procession.
When Maureen O’Hara visited the John Wayne Birthplace the Rovers were on hand as musical headliners and when the actress passed away in 2015, the band returned to Arlington National Cemetery for her final farewell, the only non-military band permitted to do so.
A band member was once asked if they knew any songs from “The Quiet Man.” “That’s all we know,” said the piper.
2026 John Wayne Birthday Celebration Welcome Reception
Friday, May 22, 5pm at John Wayne Birthplace Museum
and The Iowa Theater, $50
Please join us on Friday, May 22 for a lively reception at the John Wayne Birthplace Museum where guests will enjoy a casual mingle with John Wayne fans from across the United States and beyond. The reception will include beverages and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Afterwards we’ll move up the street to The Iowa theater for a special screening of “John Wayne’s Tribute to America.” Originally aired on NBC in 1970, the all-star spectacular is a patriotic journey through American history and features entertainment legends Lucille Ball, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Ann-Margret and many, many more.
*Rain or shine, no refunds or exchanges
Big screen presentations of these John Ford Classics at
the Iowa Theater
For reservations, go to: The Iowa Theater
Big screen presentation of “Chisum” starring John Wayne
The Iowa Theater
Saturday, May 24th
2:00 pm
For tickets, visit The Iowa Theater.