The rise and rise of the Healy-Raes comes to Millstreet
A PLAY centred on the story of the Healy-Raes, performed by the Killarney Theatre Company, comes to Millstreet GAA Community Hall this Sunday night, with curtains rising at 8pm.
Written by Killarney-based storyteller and actor Ray O’Sullivan, ‘ The Rise and Rise of the Healy-Raes’ is the hilarious and sometimes poignant story of bachelor brothers Densey and PJ Doona, who appear timelocked in a life of loneliness and celibacy in their small family farm in Kerry.
However, foreign women, love, elections and politics combine to change their lives, with the well-oiled Healy-Rae machine at the centre of the miraculous transformation.
Written by Ray O’Sullivan, this is the Cork native’s first full-length play. From Beara, Ray also stars in the play and is no stranger to the stage and has earned a reputation as an original and talented storyteller, seanchaí and actor.
The play is directed by Aidan O’Connor, journalist and writer/ director of the hit drama ‘Patrick’, which had a phenomenal run over recent years.
“The story of the Healy-Raes is one which has been told in many ways over the years, but this is the first time it’s being played out on stage. In many ways, it was a drama waiting to unfold,” Ray O’Sullivan said.
Director Aidan O’Connor applauded Ray on capturing the iconic Healy-Raes dynasty.
“What he has done is pen a very funny and moving piece of work that audiences have thoroughly enjoyed,” Mr O’Connor said, “the sell-out stage comedy that tells the story of the HealyRae political machine and how it brought the Kilgarvan family to political fame.”
A former Scór champion, Ray O’Sullivan always wanted to write a play and see it staged.
“It’s a delight to see that people have enjoyed it so much to date; I think the director Aidan O’Connor has turned something ordinary into something we believe is very, very special and we hope the Millstreet audience will feel the same way”, he said.
The play has sold out at venues, getting approval from Michael Healy-Rae TD, who said that audiences will be surprised at what they see.
“This is not just about the Healy-Raes, its about a way of living that is very true to life. It is very honest and down-toearth,” Deputy Healy-Rae said. “A lot of people might have a play in their head, but to actually write it and get it out on stage and see it out as a successful venture takes a very intelligent, talented bunch of people. The acting at times would literally put the hair standing on your head”, said Deputy Healy-Rae.