The Country Boy
Encyclopedia
The Country Boy: A Play in Three Acts is a play by Irish
playwright, John Murphy (1924–1998). Himself a country boy and native of Charlestown, County Mayo
) who emigrated to the United States of America
, The Country Boy reflects on the social problems of emigration and rural life in the late 1950s.
The Country Boy is a comedy-drama set in the small Irish farmhouse of the Maher family, inhabitants of County Mayo
. It tells the story of Curly, 25, who still lives at home with his parents, Tom and Mary Kate. But Curly dreams of following his older brother Eddie to the U.S. in pursuit of success, even if it means leaving his sweetheart, Eileen Tierney. Only upon Eddie's first return home (with wife, Julia) on vacation, are truths revealed of hardship, alcoholism, a troubled marriage, homesickness, and regrets.
John Murphy died in May of 1998 and was buried on the slopes of Nephin Mountain in Co. Mayo, a place the character of Tom Maher made reference to in the play. He was laid to rest as Eileen's song, "Down By the Salley Gardens," was sung by the graveside.
.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
playwright, John Murphy (1924–1998). Himself a country boy and native of Charlestown, County Mayo
Charlestown, County Mayo
Charlestown , once named Newtown-Dillon or Ballycattell, is a town in the Barony of Costello, County Mayo, Ireland. It is located at the intersection of two National Primary routes, the N17 and the N5. Until the N5 bypass opened in November 2007, traffic congestion was a problem in the town...
) who emigrated to the United States of America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, The Country Boy reflects on the social problems of emigration and rural life in the late 1950s.
The Country Boy is a comedy-drama set in the small Irish farmhouse of the Maher family, inhabitants of County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
. It tells the story of Curly, 25, who still lives at home with his parents, Tom and Mary Kate. But Curly dreams of following his older brother Eddie to the U.S. in pursuit of success, even if it means leaving his sweetheart, Eileen Tierney. Only upon Eddie's first return home (with wife, Julia) on vacation, are truths revealed of hardship, alcoholism, a troubled marriage, homesickness, and regrets.
John Murphy died in May of 1998 and was buried on the slopes of Nephin Mountain in Co. Mayo, a place the character of Tom Maher made reference to in the play. He was laid to rest as Eileen's song, "Down By the Salley Gardens," was sung by the graveside.
The Play
The Ulster Group Theatre company performed the first production of The Country Boy in April 1959 at the Group Theatre in BelfastBelfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
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Awards
- Amateur Drama Council of Ireland
- 1960 - All-Ireland Drama Festival