Lisdoon-Nirvana at The Linenhall Arts Centre

Lisdoon-Nirvana is a monologue with live music, written and performed by Frankie McCafferty and directed by Charlie Bonner. It’s 1983, Macker’s 17 and is heading off on the biggest adventure of his young life – a trip to the Irish Glastonbury, Lisdoonvarna. Based on the last music festival at Lisdoonvarna in July 1983, the piece follows one young guy, Macker, and his friends making the Odyssean trip from Donegal to Clare. Travelling on the pillion of his friend’s two-stroke motorbike, they encounter 80s Ireland and young people from all over making the same pilgrimage. Laden with camping gear and cheap alcohol smuggled across the border, wearing a converted Garda riot control helmet stuffed with bin bags, and a pair of swimming goggles, our hero undergoes a rite of passage as he ventures out into the big bad beautiful world. Through his eyes we see the Folk and Rock glory of the Irish Glastonbury – and a country in transition, with a backdrop of recession, church oppression, emigration and Troubles. But right now Macker’s 17. There’s Smithwick’s in the rucksack. And rumour has it that the girls from the North are bringing hash and condoms. So that’s alright Mama… For anyone who’s ever been young and dreamed of going to a festival and finding Nirvana. PRODUCTION CREDITS Writer and Performer: Frankie McCafferty Director: Charlie Bonner Assistant Director/Stage Manager: Jude Barriscale Sound Designer: Ciaran O Neill Set Design: Robert Attewell Lighting Design: Niall Cranney Technical Support: Sam Asilia Marketing: Richard Crawford and Nicola Burns Administration: Helene McMenamin and Laura Ferry Production Photography: Paul McGuckin Videographer: Charlie Joe Doherty and Emmett Toner Graphic Design: Daniel McGarrigle Original music by Frankie McCafferty and Ciaran O Neill