Walter Macken – Galway’s neglected genius of literature

Lifestyle – Bernie Ní Fhlatharta meets a man determined to see author Walter Macken accorded his due acclaim

Walter Macken’s contribution to Irish theatre has all but been forgotten, but one fellow Galway man is determined that the writer be remembered for posterity.

Next year is the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Galway writer known mostly for his novels (especially the popular trilogy, Seek the Fair Land, The Silent People and The Scorching Wind) but the man was also an actor, a director and indeed, An Taibhdhearc’s first Artistic Director.

Jim Reid has always been interested in Walter Macken and has published an eBook about him and his work, but he would love to see this eBook published in hard copy to make it more accessible.

Jim, a native of Galway city (Sea Road), has worked and lived in Dublin most of his life and on his retirement returned to college to do an MA in Theatre in St Pat’s. He continued to do a PhD and did his thesis on Walter Macken’s theatre works.

It was during this time that Jim realised how Macken had been effectively forgotten in Ireland save for copies of his trilogy novels still being sold to tourists.

“I was amazed once I started researching just how influential he had been in Irish theatre in his day and his body of work of plays, novels, short stories and childrens books is incredible. If this man lived anywhere else he would be revered.

“I was delighted this summer to hear that some of his novels and the childrens books are being reprinted in time for his anniversary because I believe he should be given the recognition he deserves.”

Jim’s own mother admired Macken’s work and, as a child, attended many performances at the Taibhdhearc in the late forties though by then Macken had left to work in the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, this time as an actor.

As a teenager, Jim would have read Macken’s more popular novels. He particularly remembers enjoying Rain on the Wind during his own schooldays in the 50s.

Indeed there was more than enough material for Jim when he chose Macken’s theatre works for his thesis. Even his Course Director expressed surprise at how little was documented about the Galway man.

Walter Macken died at the age of 51 at his home in Menlo in April, 1967, in his prime workwise, and cutting short what promised to have been a prolific writing career.

Walter Macken was only 16 when he joined An Taibhdhearc and it’s where he met his future wife, Peggy Kenny, who was working as News Editor for this very paper, The Connacht Tribune. Peggy’s father, Tom Cork Kenny, was the owner and editor and she had effectively taken over the position when he became ill.

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