IN A rural pub by the name of Dwyer’s, the clientele includes self employed builder Paddy, ex-Army man John, gullible farm labourer Mick, local curate Fr Lavery, and religious devotee Mrs Hanlon.
The pub is owned by widower Jim who has a son called Joe in his twenties. The time is the 1980s. This is Dwyer’s by Kieran Tyrrell which will be staged by Agus Anocht... Theatre Company in the Nuns Island Theatre Galway on August 12 and 13 at 7.30pm. These are charity performances and all proceeds will go to Ability West.
The play is a bitter-sweet comedy about the role of the rural pub in many people’s lives but also an account of a love affair that did not quite happen because of emigration.
“This could be any rural pub in the country and many of the characters are almost recognisable as somebody you once met,” said playwright Tyrrell.
Dwyer’s also has a special meaning for Tyrrell because of his own father’s battle with cancer.
“What finally decided me to get off my backside and do it was my father, Pat, being diagnosed with cancer in 2009,” he says. “It was one of those life-changing moments. I suddenly realised my father would not always be around and I wanted him to see my play.
“Sadly he passed away before that opening night but the show is a tribute to him. To date this play has raised almost €2,500 for charity.”
The cast includes Tony Hickey, Padraig Darcy, Ellie Condren, and Kieran Tyrrell.
Tickets are €10 and are available from the Galway Arts Centre, 47 Dominick Street (091 - 565886 ) or from Cathal in Ability West (091 - 5409000/087 - 6820265 ). See also www.agusanocht.com
