Plays

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OVERVIEW

  • Playwright

    Sinéad de Valera 

  • Setting

    An t-am: An lá atá inniu ann (1930idí) An Áit: Aon áit in Éireann

  • Synopsis

    When the widow Mrs Murphy dies, two greedy nieces of her husband's return from abroad in the effort to claim the old woman's riches for themselves. The selfish pair are unprepared for the conditions laid out for them in the will however: neither will get a penny from the estate if they do not go out in the village and perform a traditional Irish dance whilst dressed as countrymen. Horrified, the two snobs loudly announce their refusal to do so. The following day, however, in the midst of the May Day celebrations, they appear in the designated country garb and proceed to dance, squabble and make a show of themselves. Challenge met, they then learn to their disgust that the estate is not theirs for the taking after all, as word has just come that the young orphan Nóra Ní Néill is in fact the daughter of Mrs Murphy's long-lost beloved younger brother. Nóra is named as the legitimate heir to the Murphy estate, while the two greedy cousins are left a laughing stock.

  • Play Type

    Plays General

    Number Of Acts

    Full-Length

  • Cast Size Female

    6

  • Cast Notes

    Roinnt mioncarachtar eile: páistí agus cailíní scoile

Original Production

  • Date of First Production

    16 January 1937

  • Production Notes

    Léirithe ag Clochar na Trócaire, Baile an Bhóthair
  • Producer

  • Original Venue

    Abbey Theatre/Amharclann na Mainistreach

  • Venue Notes

    Léiríodh an dráma seo ar stáitse na Péacóige.

Original Cast  
Sighle Ní Dhomnhaill Ní Fios
Éilís Ní Mhangáin Ní Fios
Nóra Ní Néill Ní Fios
Gráinne Ní Mhurchadha Ní Fios
Gobnait Ní Ruairc Ní Fios
Maedhbh Ní Mhaonaigh Ní Fios

Published Scripts

  • Title

    Cluichidhe Gaedhilge do'n aos óg/ Sinéad De Valera

  • Year

    1936

  • Published By

    M H Gill and Son Ltd

  • Address

    Republic of Ireland

  • Title

    May Day: A Play for School Children

  • Year

    1954

  • Published By

    M H Gill and Son Ltd

  • Address

    Republic of Ireland

Rights Information

  • Territory

    All Territories

  • Rights Type

    All Rights

  • Contact

    Gill and Macmillian

  • Address

    Hume Avenue
    Park West
    Dublin 12
    Republic of Ireland

  • Website

    www.gillmacmillan.ie

Source Of Information

Fuarthas an t-eolas seo ón leabhar 'Stair Dhrámaíocht na Gaeilge 1900-1970' le Pádraig Ó Siadhail agus ón leagan foilsithe den script.