An Grianán Theatre, Donegal presents I Would Walk These Fields Again at Roscommon Arts Centre this Thursday, May 19 at 8pm. The play is based on the extraordinary life of Father James McDyer, a revolutionary Christian communist who arrived in the parish of Glencolmcille in County Donegal in 1951.
Through his tireless endeavours, passionate patriotism, and visionary socialist philosophy, he transformed a community, afflicted by emigration, lack of industry, and government neglect. Through his commitment to this isolated parish, he brought electricity, running water, jobs, and hope. He started cooperatives and factories, a museum and folk village, and tourist accommodation for the visitors. He was a man of great humour, energy, and conviction, but also a man of contradictions.
I Would Walk These Fields Again is a full-length play about this priest’s extraordinary life. It is performed by two actors, with minimal set and technical requirements. The play covers his life, from his childhood in Glenties, his education in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, his time in London, during World War II, his four years on Tory Island, and his work in Glencolmcille.
The piece is played with passion and humour, looking not only at his successes but also the failures. Drawing from interviews, archive material, and Father McDyer’s own writings, I Would Walk These Fields Again, is a celebration of McDyer’s life, his work, and his legacy. The piece was first produced in autumn 2015 by An Grianán Theatre in association with the Donegal Bay and Bluestacks Festival and this powerful play visits Roscommon Arts Centre for one night only on May 19.
To book call (090 ) 6625824 or see www.roscommonartscentre.ie
