Arcadia Ireland

The title of this play caught my eye immediately having been a Country Girl (Monaghan) myself for over 19 years before moving to the Big Smoke (Dublin)! Tonight I will join some students from Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Maynooth for what we've heard is an unforgettable night at the Abbey Theatre! 

The Irish Times describes this production as "A remarkably told story of shedding innocence and thorny desires in 1950s Ireland – of convent-school eroticism, premarital sex and the city, and adultery with older men – it was variously banned, burnt and secretly devoured in Ireland. On one point, at least, its censors and champions could agree: literature is gloriously corrupting"

Something I've only recently learned is that all of Edna O’Brien’s novels published during the 1960s were ruled “indecent and obscene” under the Censorship of Publications Act. This started when the publication of The Country Girls caused outrage. It was banned in Ireland by the authorities and publicly burned by the clergy.

Notoriety quickly turned to fame and this coming of age story of two young women in 1950s Ireland became a best-seller.

This type of event is quite the typical Dublin thing to do. Catch a nice bite to eat first and then indulge in the work of some of Ireland's finest writers. Our first stop will be the popular "Woollen Mills" restaurant.  The Woollen Mills are custodians of something very special… a piece of history, as it was the former work place of one mister James Joyce! It offers a truly Irish experience, with produce sourced from local Irish artisans and stunning iconic views overlooking the river Liffey and the Ha’penny Bridge.

Only a stones throw away then will be our final stop - Ireland's National Theatre - The Abbey! 

Excited? Yes! 

Review to follow...

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