Limerick streets to come alive with historical play this May

A NEW PLAY by a talented Limerick playwright is coming to various locations across the city this May.

Mike Finn’s latest play, The Rising of the Women, is being brought to life by “a truly gifted group of actors and artists” at various locations near to King John’s Castle from Tuesday, May 13 to Friday, May 16 at 6pm each day.

The GAFF, in collaboration with Honest Arts, are joint producers of this new show which takes place in locations on and near to Nicholas St, in the heart of St. Mary’s community in Limerick city.

The story is about legendary film director John Ford’s visit to Limerick in 1956 to shoot scenes for his film, The Rising of the Moon.

READ ALSO: Top educators and artists meet in Limerick for annual 'highlight' of teaching calendar

200 women were recruited from the labour exchange and from the local area as extras for the movie, many of those residents of St. Mary’s who recall their mothers and grandmothers being part of the film.

The extras’ job was to portray worried citizens, reciting the rosary outside King John’s Castle, while inside, a condemned rebel awaited execution at the hands of the Black and Tans.

On the first day of shooting, however, the extras discovered that the buns provided for lunch were stale and that their pay was to be six shillings and eight pence rather than the promised ten.

After much discussion and debate, they decided there was nothing for it but to take strike action.

“Mike Finn, Limerick’s prolific playwright, has a way of telling stories about Limerick people, particularly linked to working-class struggle, that is unmatched,” a spokesperson said.

“Audiences can enjoy this hilarious and, sometimes, poignant story, presented in promenade theatre style, following in the footsteps of John Ford, in the precise Limerick locations where the 1950s film was shot.”

The meeting point is Katie Daly’s pub, opposite King John’s Castle, with scenes taking place in street locations and inside the nearby St. Munchin’s Church, former Church of Ireland.

Joan Sheehy directs an exceptional cast of Limerick performers for this unique production, including Carrie Barrett, Myles Breen, James Corr, Aidan Crowe, Ashleigh Dorrell, Carmel Duggan, Sheila Fitzpatrick, Padhraic Hastings, Georgina Miller, Megan O’Halloran, Elaine O’Dwyer, Gene Rooney and soprano, Eve Stafford.

Booking is now open on Eventbrite at The Rising of the Women by Mike Finn Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite