The Lieutenant of Inishmore
About the work
Inishmore, 1993.
On the remote island of Inishmore, off the west coast of Ireland, the tentative peace process on the mainland seems a long way off… That is until wayward son ‘Mad’ Padraic returns home. Considered too extreme for the Irish Republican Army, he’s taken leave from his newly-formed splinter group to visit his beloved cat, Wee Thomas, who’s seriously injured – the apparent victim of a hit-and-run.
As Padraic’s dad, Donny, in whose care Wee Thomas was left, desperately tries to cover up the accident for fear of his son’s well-known wrath, he blackmails his young neighbour, Davey, into helping him by accusing him of being responsible.
But Padraic’s not the only person to have recently returned to Inishmore. His former colleagues from the Irish National Liberation Army have some differences they’d like to discuss with him…
Will Padraic’s splinter group ultimately prove victorious? Perhaps with the aid of its newest recruit, Davey’s younger sister, Mairead. But can love transcend politics and personal tragedy, especially when adored pets are involved?
Martin McDonagh
Martin McDonagh is an award-winning writer and director. His plays include: The Beauty Queen of Leenane, A Skull in Connemara, The Lonesome West, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The Cripple of Inishmaan, The Pillowman, A Behanding in Spokane, Hangmen and the upcoming A Very Very Very Dark Matter. As a Writer and Director for film, his credits include: Seven Psychopaths, In Bruges, Six Shooter and most recently Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Padraic (Aidan Turner)
Donny’s son, also known as ‘Mad Padraic’ because of his volatile and violent nature, he was rejected by the IRA for being too extreme and is thinking about breaking away from the INLA for not being extreme enough. His only friend in the world is his beloved cat of fifteen years, Wee Thomas.
Donny (Denis Conway)
Middle-aged
A solitary man who enjoys his own company and a drink of poteen. Glad to live alone, free of his irritating mam and especially his wayward son, Padraic.
Christy (Will Irvine)
Northern Irish… sporting an eyepatch
A member of the INLA and former fellow patriot of Padraic, Christy blames him for losing his eye. He’s come to Inishmore on a mission, if only he can unite his squabbling comrades.
James (Brian Martin)
A minor drug-dealer selling marijuana to students at the polytechnic, his illegal activities have brought him to the attention of the paramilitaries.
Brendan (Daryl McCormack)
Northern Irish accent
Also a member of the INLA and Christy’s right-hand man, when he’s not correcting him about the sources of his quotes.
Joey (Julian Moore-Cook)
Northern Irish accent
Another member of the INLA and Brendan’s brother. He doesn’t agree with his comrades’ current tactics, instigated by Christy, with its focus on cruelty to cats.
Mairead (Charlie Murphy)
A girl of sixteen or so, slim, pretty, with close-cropped hair, army trousers, white T-shirt, sunglasses.
Davey’s sister, a dead shot with an air-rifle at sixty yards having blinded many local cows, she longs to join the INLA and, in particular, Padraic. Mairead’s only greater love is her own cat, Sir Roger.
Davey (Chris Walley)
Long-haired… seventeen
A well-meaning young man who often finds his good nature abused. He loves his bike, Motorhead and, more than anything, his mam.
The Lieutenant of Inishmore by Martin McDonagh (Bloomsbury, 2018)
