Once We Were Punks Poster

Once We Were Punks 2026

94 min📅 2026-03-13

Dive into the raw energy of 1980s small-town Ireland with *Once We Were Punks (2026)*, Frank Shouldice's spirited documentary celebrating the rebellious spirit of youth.

Director: Frank Shouldice

Cast

Justin Kelly
Self
David Meagher
Self
Noel Larkin
Self
Paddy Glackin
Self

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Once We Were Punks (2026) about?

This documentary follows four childhood friends from Bailieboro, Co Cavan, who form a punk band in the 1980s with ambitions of global fame. After life's responsibilities and distance pull them apart, their paths cross again at a funeral decades later, reigniting their shared passion for music and mischief.

Who directed Once We Were Punks?

Frank Shouldice directs this nostalgic and energetic look at the Irish punk movement.

Who stars in Once We Were Punks?

The film stars Justin Kelly, David Meagher, Noel Larkin, and Paddy Glackin, the real-life musicians at the heart of this inspiring true story.

Is Once We Were Punks (2026) worth watching?

*Once We Were Punks* promises a compelling blend of music history, nostalgia, and raw authenticity. With its 94-minute runtime and focus on youthful rebellion, it's a must-watch for fans of punk culture and anyone who's ever chased a dream against the odds.

How long is Once We Were Punks?

The film runs for 94 minutes.

About Once We Were Punks (2026): The Punk Revival You Won't Forget

Dive into the raw energy of 1980s small-town Ireland with *Once We Were Punks (2026)*, Frank Shouldice's spirited documentary celebrating the rebellious spirit of youth. In the working-class town of Bailieboro, Co Cavan, four teenage friends channel their frustration and dreams into a fledgling punk band, vowing to take on the world. But as life pulls them in different directions—careers, adulthood, and the inevitability of emigration—their shared dream fades into memory. A quarter-century later, a reunion at a funeral reignites their old fire, proving that some bonds never truly break.

Shouldice crafts a nostalgic yet biting portrait of lost potential and the enduring allure of rebellion, set against the gritty backdrop of Ireland's punk scene. With a soundtrack pulsing with defiance and a story that balances humor and heartache, *Once We Were Punks* captures the bittersweet essence of chasing dreams before adulthood has its say.