The play is set in an old manor house in Ireland. It
is now owned by a retired English Colonel and his wife. They run it as a small
hotel with the help of their daughter Susan and a maid called Beth. A
businessman from Ireland, his secretary, his helper and a friend come over to
stay for a few days. Things are not what they seem to be and as the plot unfolds
we find out that these are not honest business people but crooks who want to
switch a horse in a big race. A jockey also comes to stay at this hotel and gets
caught up in the mayhem that occurs. This play is an hilarious farce and full of
action right throughout.
All Ireland Confined Finals 2003
As
the Second World War rages in Europe, in Donegal there is another war closer to
home. In Dolly West’s kitchen, the family has it’s own conflicts to face as
their lives are transformed with the arrival of Allied Troops across the border
in Derry. War changes everything – it’s tragedies and its survivals will
alter the history of the West family forever.
Colin’s
friends are determined to comfort him in his grief over the death of his fiancée,
a girl they have never met. They arrange a tea party for him and are
understandably on edge, wondering what to say to him as they await his arrival.
Their unease, however, has deeper roots as they are all kept together by a
mixture of business and cross-marital emotional ties, and by the time Colin
arrives their tension contrasts dramatically with his cheerfully relaxed air.
All Ireland Confined Finals 2003
The
theme of the play is woven round an annual challenge match between the
footballers of Cuas and Bealaabawn. Both teams are drawn from tiny communities
and each community viewed the annual game as a great sporting and social
occasion. This year it is the turn of the Cuas lads to travel across to
Bealabawn. The events that take place over the course of the game and into the
night afterwards mark a turning point in the life of the team captain, Padraic
O’Dea. Recognised as the best footballer who ever came out of Clare, he is
faced with the reality of age catching up with him. He has given his life to
football and wonders where it has got him in terms of personal happiness. While
his knees may no longer respond as they once did, for the first time in his
life, he stands up on his own two feet.
All Ireland Confined Finals 2003
Set in Donegal in the 1960’s. On the death of her husband Maggie is determined
to create a better life for herself and her children. The problems arise when
her vision of the future begins to sit with increasing discomfort on the
shoulders of her surly offspring.
Set in the rural Ulster countryside, Boyd’s Shop is a light-hearted snapshot
of life in the mid-50’s. The action is set in the home and shop of Andrew Boyd
and his daughter Agnes. Competition in business is provided by the arrival of
John Haslett and he immediately falls for Agnes. The young minister, Mr.
Dunwoody, also has eyes for Miss Boyd and this triangle adds to the banter and
fun, which this play is based upon. How will young Haslett and his modern
techniques fare against the conservative methods of Andrew Boyd and who will win
the affections of Miss Boyd?
All Ireland Confined Finals 2003
Two bachelor brothers smoulder by the fireplace, cold in spirit and warmed by
mistrust, accusation, and hate. Fr. Walsh remains wedged between their
antagonism and his zest for poteen and freedom from parish duties. Girleen sets
this dark house on fire with her vitality and sensual fire. Throughout the
conflict the author spreads sparkling gems of laughter with sudden flashes of
fun.
Helen Keller is world famous for her intellectual prowess as well as her great
work with those born blind, deaf and dumb. This play tells the exciting story of
Annie Sullivan’s battle with the six year old Helen and her eventual victory.
When they first meet, Helen is little better than an animal. Filthy, spoilt,
uncontrolled and unruly unable to communicate. Annie determines to let in the
light. Her own struggles against poverty and blindness have given her a great,
courageous spirit and a contempt for sentimentality. These qualities are pitted
against the thoughtless indulgence of Helen’s family and her doting,
possessive mother until at last, Annie achieves the miracle of reaching
Helen’s language. Here, Helen’s life can truly be said to have begun.
All Ireland Confined Finals 2003
Olive Madison lives alone on Riverside Drive in a 12th floor
apartment. Once a week her girl friends enjoy a game of Trivial Pursuit. Olive
is a slob who hates to clean up and her apartment is a mess and her food is none
too appetizing ! Florence Unger her “tidy” friend arrives late on a hot
summer’s night interrupting the girl’s game of Trivial Pursuit.
The story of Behan’s younger life when he joins the I.R.A. and is sent to
Liverpool to plant bombs in a shipyard. He gets caught and the play tells of his
harsh treatment in Walton prison and of the great friends and enemies he made in
the Borstal where he was then sent.
Five lads in the “Seventies” moved to London to make their fortunes as
navvies on the building sites. Twenty-five years later they meet to wake one of
their mates in the side room of a Kilburn pub in London.
All Ireland Confined Finals 2003