26Jan- Drama: Ailliliú Fionnuala

Admission: £4

Written & Performed by Donal O’Kelly, Directed by Sorcha Fox and Designed by Robert Ballagh this is the latest production by acclaimed theatre practitioner Donal O’Kelly. Donal is known internationally for his talent for making audiences laugh and think. So this a chance to be entertained but also informed about the powerful nine year campaign of non-violent resistance mustered by local people in north west Mayo against the corporate takeover of their region by Shell. The local community has had support from people across Ireland and a small international solidarity camp. Shell have had compliance and co-operation from successive Irish Governments, the media and the judiciary.

Ailliliú Fionnuala, a Play about the Shell Corrib Gas Project, Rossport, North Mayo

The scenario: Ambrose Keogh works for Shell. When the Tunnel Boring Machine he named Fionnuala sinks into the bog in Erris Co. Mayo, he is magically confronted by Fionnuala of the Children of Lir. Fionnuala puts a geas (spell) on him – he’s bound to tell the truth about Shell’s operations in Erris, such as the attack on Willie Corduff in the Shell site at Glengad. During his ordeal, Ambrose meets his school classmate, Malachy Downes, an anti-pipeline activist, and echoes from the past resound.

Keogh was the silent minion in Donal O’Kelly’s solo show Bat The Father Rabbit The Son, premiered in 1988 and touring to acclaim in Edinburgh, New York and Australia, including Derry’s 20:20 Vision festival in 1989. A quarter of a century later, Keogh’s found his voice at the heart of the Shell/Corrib gas project.

Donal O’Kelly’s award-winning solo plays include: Catalpa, Joyced! and Bat The Father Rabbit The Son. Other plays include The Cambria, Jimmy Gralton’s Dancehall, The Adventures Of The Wet Señor, Vive La, Operation Easter, Asylum! Asylum! and The Dogs.

“Cuts a swathe through Shell/State propaganda, allowing audiences to access the truth of what’s happening in North Mayo”Hot Press

“A stirring piece of theatre”Irish Theatre Magazine

“Highly entertaining while packing a punch”Exeunt Magazine

“O’Kelly performs superbly”Sunday Independent

“Digs for truth beneath the controversies”Irish Times

Further Info: donalokellytheatre@gmail.com or 087 6734773. Supported by the justice and human rights organisation Afri.