The Cripple of Inishmaan comes to Achill Island
Dooega Drama Group's cast of 'The Cripple of Inishmaan', which will be performed in Achill this Friday and also on December 27 and 28. From left: Éoin Burke (Babbybobby Bennett), Micheál McNamara (Doctor McSharry), Aisling Masterson (Eileen Osbourne), Ethan McNea ('Cripple' Billy), Caroline Masterson (Kate Osbourne), Siobhán Molloy (Mammy McDougal), Toirlach Dever (Johnnypateenmike), Áine Mangan ('Slippy' Helen), Éoin Murphy (Bartley McCormick). Picture: Hiro Masuda
Martin McDonagh’s acclaimed drama is coming to Achill Island this Christmas with Dooega Drama Group producing the renowned play.
They will perform ‘The Cripple’ on Friday, December 22, Wednesday, December 27 and Thursday, December 28 in Coláiste Acla, Dooega.
It’s arguably their most challenging undertaking yet but one that the assembled cast is relishing. It’s their first production since Covid with a lot of talented newcomers stepping up.
“We’ve been on the go since 2010 but this has the potential to be our best production yet,” said co-director Martán Ó Mongáin. “Our cast have been working extremely hard these past few months and their talent has been beyond doubt from day one. Our younger members have fitted in so seamlessly. We’re really looking forward to bringing it to Dooega for three nights over the Christmas,” he added.
Ó Mongáin is co-directing with Pádraig Patten. Ethan McNea plays the lead role of ‘Cripple’ Billy Claven. Sisters Caroline Mangan and Aisling Masterson play his adoptive aunts, Kate and Eileen Osbourne. Well-known Achill footballer Toirlach Dever plays the local gossip, Johnnypateenmike while Siobhán Molloy plays the role of his mother, Mammy McDougal.
Áine Mangan plays the fiery Slippy Helen with Éoin Murphy playing her brother, Bartley McCormick. Both are secondary school students in Cólaiste Pobail Acla, making their stage debuts but taking to it with ease.
Éoin Burke plays boatman Babbybobby Bennett while former county councillor Micheál McNamara plays the role of Doctor McSharry.
is set on the small Aran Islands community of Inishmaan (Inis Meáin) in 1934.
Lots of attention has been paid to the finer details with brilliant period costumes and props accumulated while a hard-working crew, under the leadership of the gifted Denis McCarthy, has constructed a unique, rotating stage, with three different settings.
Tickets for Dooega Drama Group’s production of are available on Eventbrite (search for Dooega) or see the link (and plenty more besides) on the Dooega Drama Group page on Facebook. Tickets are also on sale in Achill Sound Post Office. The action gets underway at 8pm on each of the three nights.
