Ground-breaking play 'An Triail' by Mairéad Ní Ghráda was first performed at the Damer Theatre in Dublin.
Ground-breaking play 'An Triail' by Mairéad Ní Ghráda was first performed at the Damer Theatre in Dublin. The story of Máire, the innocent young girl who becomes pregnant out of wedlock, opened on 22 September 1964 and played to packed houses for over six weeks. Poet and sean-nós singer Caitlín Maude starred as Máire.
Mairéad Ní Ghráda talks to Aedín Ní Chaoimh about the inspiration for Máire in this radio interview from 'Dá Bhfaighinn Mo Rogha', broadcast on 29 March 1979. She is based on a girl from the parish she lived in as a child, who was banished for becoming pregant.
Bhí loch san áit, agus is cuimhin le Ní Ghráda bheith ag féachaint isteach san uisce dorcha agus eagla uirthi go raibh an cailín bocht ag bun an phoill. Rugadh Ní Ghráda i gCo. an Chláir sa bhliain 1896. San agallamh seo, deireann sí gur thosaigh sí ag scríobh nuair a bhí sí ina múinteoir Gaeilge sa choláiste cócaireachta i gCill Mochuda. Bhí sí an chéad bhanchraoltóir ar Raidió Éireann, agus bhí 'An Triail' an chéad dráma as Gaeilge ar Telefís Éireann.
'An Triail' was broadcast on Telefís Éireann on 21 February 1965 with Fionnula Flanagan in the role of Máire. It was the first play in Irish to be shown on Irish television.
The above image of Mairéad Ní Ghráda was taken by Roy Bedell in 1962.
