This week on Drama On Newstalk, Director Órfhlaith Foyle and producer Alan Meaney bring you the story of May Mullen. In 1900s Ireland, a fiercely independent woman rallies against traditional expectations in ‘May’s End’.
May Mullen is a ‘good cattle woman’, who assists her father James on the farm and at the mart in Midlands Ireland of the early 20th century. She swears and drinks like a man but is also responsible for running her father’s house. Her only friends are Elisabeth, the local Protestant school mistress and her little dog Pablo.
May’s independent life is frowned upon by her brother Jim, her brother’s intended Kate, and by her father. They want her to settle down and marry a local man, but she is reluctant to be like her mother was. Even Elisabeth has an ulterior motive. She wants May to marry her own brother Theo; a horse dealer.
When family deaths and the birth of a child cause great upheaval, May has to fight her corner and strive to hold onto the fierce brilliant feeling of being herself.
The programme was supported by a grant from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as part of the Sound And Vision Scheme
CREDITS: ‘May’s End’ was written and directed by Órfhlaith Foyle. Produced, recorded and edited by Alan Meaney.
The cast are Tara Finn, John Burke, Gerry Howard, Joan Gildea, Eimir Creedon, Austin Prior and Gerry Ferguson.
Original artwork by Órfhlaith Foyle.
"May's End" premieres Sunday September 26th at 8am, and will be repeated on Saturday October 2nd at 9pm. Podcast available after the broadcast on newstalk.com and the Newstalk App.
