This was the first feature film made entirely in the Irish language.
The film caused a bit of controversy when released. Some people on the west coast of Ireland were appalled at how their lifestyle was displayed as backward, simple-minded and down right rough in appearance. One scene of the film that was the focus of much of the controversy was the 'spud fight' or 'Troid Pratai' scene, which seemed to set in stone negative stereotype that was held on the people of Ireland, but no more so on the west of the country where the film itself was set.
The script for the film was awarded the first ever film script award presented by the Irish Arts Council.