Fibín new play revisits a community tragedy

A tragedy that happened 100 years ago on a beach in Inverin, will be commemorated this month in the latest production from Irish-language theatre company Fíbín Theatre.

Pléasc, which will be performed on Friday, June 16, recalls the events surrounding the death of nine men after they discovered an unexploded sea mine from World War I floating in Galway Bay. The men, who were coming home from a fishing trip, didn’t realise what they had discovered and towed the lethal device to shore. The resulting explosion, in which nine men were killed, was a community tragedy that made international headlines at the time

Eoin Mac Diarmada, who has written the script, has a direct connection with the story as his great-grandfather Éamonn Mac Diarmada was one of those killed in the explosion.

The play will be directed by Brendan Murray and will be performed for one night only on Trá Mhór in Inverin on Friday, June 16 at 8pm.

Pléasc is being performed as part of a programme of commemorative events, Cuimneachán an ‘Mine’ 1917-2017, organised under the auspices of the local development association, Cumann Forbartha Chois Fharraige, from June 15-18. The commemorative programme involves array of events, including a remembrance Mass and the unveiling of a memorial plaque, a book launch and a concert.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.