Photos show Kerry crowds enjoying unique Ardfert play

The play was performed brilliantly by a number of local actors from the Bog Road Theatre Group, amongst them Ardfert native Margaret Cahill who made her stage debut while Brendan Locke Fitzgerald also made his debut. Joining them on stage was Kevin O'Riordan, veteran of the stage Mike Ashe and Eanna McElligott.

Mary and Pat Geaney meanwhile helped to keep the show on the road too in their roles as assistants to the director.

This is the third play by playright Mike, following on from 'September 82' and 'A Queen's Speech'.

The inspiration for the play came to Mike when he became interested in the story of Elizabeth Luling Dooley who is buried in the shadow of the Ardfert Cathedral beneath a gravestone that was erected by her husband, Paddy Dooley.

A Galway native, Paddy set up a troupe called 'The Starlight Players' that toured Ireland with a variety show. Elizabeth, who was born and raised in the UK, abandoned a promising drama career to follow her lover, Paddy, to his native Ireland.

After visiting her grave, Mike began to wonder about her story and this play bore fruit to that wondering.

Sunday night's play was a tribute to Elizabeth who once performed in Ardfert in Kavanagh's Hall, which is now the village's garage.