Performed: 7th –10th November 2012

Eddie Maher returns to visit his birthplace in Ireland with his American wife, after many years in America. His younger brother Curly is about to leave and join him in America. Eddie doesn’t want him to go, as America isn’t as wonderful as people in Ireland think. Eddie regrets leaving Ireland and believes his brother is making the same mistake he made. His father Tom doesn’t want Curly to go either, but he won’t stop him. His mother Mary fears that if he goes she will not see him again. Will Curly go and leave the farm and his sweetheart Eileen behind? Has Eddie done well in America? What is Eddie’s wife like? What effect did leaving Ireland have on Eddie?

In this story John Murphy captures the bleak future that faced many Irish people in the late fifties and early sixties. He also captures the effects this had on families and those that were left behind.

Director: Tom Fitzgerald

Cast:
Tom Maher (father) – Ger Meagher
Mary Kate (wife) – Amanda Kirwan
Curly (younger son) – Desmond Cunningham
Eddie (elder son) – Tom Fitzgerald
Julia (Eddie’s wife) – Patricia Harte
Eileen Tierney (Curly’s girl) – Amanda Hickey

Behind the Scenes:
Stage Manager – Carol Acheson
Sound & Lighting – Maggie Morrissey
Set Construction & Décor – Eddie McCarthy, Danny Harte, Ricky Dunne