Pearse play to be performed by drama group in Glenasmole

A PLAY as Gaeilge, by legendary Irish revolutionary Pádraig Pearse, will take place in Glenasmole Valley this weekend (September 14/15 at 4.30pm).

It will be performed by Aisteoirí Thamhlachta, an Irish language drama group based in Tallaght, and directed by Ciaran McMahon, with newly composed music by Lorcán MacMathúna. ‘An Rí’, an Irish language morality drama by Pádraig Pearse, was first performed on the grounds of St Enda’s School, Rathfarnham, under the direction of Pearse in 1912.

In line with the original play, the retelling will also be performed outdoors in the scenic surroundings of Glenasmole.

An Rí is set in the middle ages and features a conflict between a corrupt king and an abbot who answers to a higher calling.

Pól Ó Meadhra, a primary school teacher at Scoil Santain in Tallaght, plays the abbot and understands this could be the first Irish language production of An Rí since 1912.

“As far as I know it hasn’t been done since 1912 and I’m the first person to play the abbot since Willie Pearse (Pádraig’s brother), said Pól.

“We have 12 actors in total, five children and seven adults and three musicians.

“It’s going to be outdoors on [local farmer] Donie Anderson’s field.

“There is a concern for the weather, but we are using gazebos and will work with what we have.”

Tipperary native Ó Meadhra, has been a driving force for the Irish language at a grassroots level in Tallaght since moving to the area in 2007.

Another fascinating detail to this play is that is features a much older style of the Irish language, as Pearse wanted the dialogue to be authentic for a middle-age time period.

This created a challenge for the actors, but one they rose to, according to Pól.

“The Irish is old, from the early 1700s.

“Some of the words and phrases I have never seen.

“I always struggled with Irish up until I was about 19/20 when I acted in an Irish drama, and learned words and phrases that 23 years on I am still fluent in.

“The actors have adapted well to it, and TG4 were up on Saturday during our rehearsals.”

The play features a king who has done a lot of ugly things and believes he is cursed after losing many battles, eventually approaching the abbot to seek a resolution to the problems that now afflict the nation due to his poor leadership.

Pól cites characteristic elements from the play of a “Christlike figure”, which may have appealed to Pearse.

“The play was performed in 1912, and the next year, 1913, Pearse was brought into the inner council of the IRB.

“I imagine this would have been to the forefront of Pearse’s mind at the time,” said Pól.

Tickets for the 50-minute play are free but booking is on EventBrite and donations for the group are gratefully accepted on the day.

It includes performances by kids from Scoil Santain, Coláiste de hÍde, and Gaelcholáiste An Phiarsaigh in Rathfarnham, with actors who come from different backgrounds from barristers to taxi drivers, along with musicians Éamon Galldubh and Martin Tourish.

Pól hopes they can take the production to other local venues including the grounds of Pearse’s school St Enda’s in Rathfarnham.

Parking will be available at Bohernabreena Upperlake Carpark, which is a 10-minute walk from the site of the performance.

Refreshments will be provided after the event in Café Goughie’s (located by the carpark).