Plot

Thady (40) comes home for the wake of his best friend's father. Out on the peninsula, Thady's parents have evolved together for decades in their beloved homestead by the sea. Marcus (70), a surfboard shaper, is now a full-time carer for Eileen (68), a well-known artist of immersive seascapes and a woman swimming against the tide of Alzheimer's. Although Thady is shocked by her decline, Marcus is unfazed until Eileen fails to recognise him. Later, Thady finds a signed contract in which Marcus promises to take Eileen 'swimming' the day she stops knowing who he is. Is this really a contract his father should keep? The day passes with this question ringing in Thady's ear; as he sadly watches his Mum dancing in the Alzheimers day centre, as he grimly registers the physical strain on his Dad. Escaping to the wake, Thady confesses to his best friend, Jimmy (40), that he'd rather see his mother put in a coffin with all his good memories than slip away bit by bit. Accosted by a neighbour on his walk home, Thady is forced to administer a mercy bullet to a dying horse. A shook Thady calls his girlfriend, but keeps the talk theoretical. If he was a distressed horse beyond hope, would she, could she, put a mercy bullet in his head. Thady's awoken. 'Your mother's gone' is all his father says as they navigate the dunes by moonlight. They nd Eileen walking into the sea. Marcus rushes to save her but Thady holds him back. There's a loaded wordless exchange before Marcus shakes himself free. In the sea, he realizes that Eileen is swimming, not drowning. Thady leaves only to return with two towels. And a new understanding.—Ailbhe Keogan

Thady (40) comes home for a local funeral. He's shocked at how much his mother's Alzheimer's has worsened, especially when Eileen (68) fails to recognise her husband of 40 years. Marcus (70) tries to underplay it but clearly he too is upset. Later, Thady finds a lover's contract between Marcus and Eileen in which Marcus promises to 'take her swimming' the day she no longer knows who he is. Thady is conflicted. His father's physical health is struggling and long-term care is needed yet the thought of indomitable Eileen in a home is horrific. So when Eileen makes her way to the sea at dawn, Thady thinks he sees a way of honouring her wishes until Marcus shows him an alternate way of understanding.—Ailbhe Keogan