Tarry Flynn

Adapted from Patrick Kavanagh's novel, Tarry Flynn, which was published in 1948 and quickly banned, the Sliabh Luachra Drama Group's latest production proved to be a wonderful success.

Telling a story of the repression of the individual in rural Ireland during the 1930's, a time when the Catholic Church's strict teachings on sexual mores and the reigning in of individual freedoms stuck fear into the heart of society, Tarry Flynn was a wonderfully acted piece with Moira O' Connor as lead, Mrs. Flynn, stealing the show and Dermot O' Leary, playing the wonderfully sleazy Petey Meegan, heading up the ensemble cast.

The production was staged in Scartaglen Community Hall. "This year's production has been an amazing success," said Fiona Brennan, Assistant Director. "We always have a fantastic support but we sold out practically every show and even had to add an extra show to cater for the demand." No mean feat in a hall that holds in excess of two hundred seats with a production that played for five nights and had to be extended to a sixth.

Tarry Flynn, played by Danny O' Leary, the eponymous hero of the piece, like many a poet that has gone before and since has two great loves - nature and young women! The young women in this instance were the beautifully pretty but prim Mary Reilly, played by Sinead O Driscoll, and the wonderfully wicked but readily available Molly Brady, played by Mary Horgan, who flashed her bloomers with hilarious regularity.

"Every member of the cast put a huge amount of work into the production," said Fiona, "so it was really satisfying to see the audience reaction. Everything from set design and decoration to selling of tickets was done by members of the Sliabh Luachra Drama Group and I'd just like to thank them for their dedication. Nora Walsh, director of the piece, also deserves a special word of commendation. She's the backbone of the group, has been involved in all the productions and even acted in the play."

Tarry Flynn, Sliabh Luachra's seventh production, and its success in terms of both numbers of people that went to see it and the professionalism of the cast and crew is proof, if any were needed, that the traditional Irish love of theatre is alive and well through out the country.

Previous works performed by the Sliabh Luachra Drama Group include Sive and Moll by Kerry native, John B. Keane, and Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel.

"We're very aware of the importance of theatre to the people of Kerry and are delighted to be able to add a little bit to our rich cultural heritage, we try to put on plays that speak to the people of the community," said Fiona. It's nice to see theatre alive and well in the villages of Kerry.

For more information on Sliabh Luachra Drama Group or to get involved in upcoming productions please email Fiona Brennan at scrahanmf@eircom.net