​A Play by Ballinasloe Historian and Playwright, Xandra Kilduff

The cast of Mathers of Falty, .Front Row L-R Mary Dolan Kenny, Bernie Goode, Kathleen O'Shea, Marie Monaghan, Maureen Duffy, Bernie Greene, Caroline McGuirke, Xandra Ward Kilduff, (Author, Director, Producer ), Carmel Scott, Maura O'Brien. Kneeling, Michael Dolan, BackRow, Jimmy Kenny, Tomas Fahy, Damien Glennon, Pat Kelly, Padraig Costello, Tom Turley, Kathy Scanlon, Padraig Kilduff, Marcella Grehan, Oliver Grenham, Mike Glennon, Pat Dolan, Pakie Goode, Peter Naughton, Tom Colleran, Hugh Collins, Niall Flynn, & Patrick Whelan.

Ballinasloe native, Xandra Kilduff has a master’s degree in play write and is a published poet and historian. Xandra was chosen by the prestigious Moore History Group to research and write a historical play ‘Mathers of Falty’ based on events which occurred in 1916 for the centenary of the famous Cattle Drive of Falty, Ballydangan, on the estate of James Daniel Arres-Mather.

The play covers a number of years including 1852, when Daniel Mather a native of Hallrule in Scotland purchased sections of the St George estate from the Encumbered Estates. In 1920, when his grandnephew James Daniel, sold to a local committee. The play encompasses the evictions, the rise of political land movements, the 1916 rebellion, and its direct link with the agrarian uprising in Falty.
The Cattle Drive in 1916 was an act of courage by a local community rising against an unjust landlord and an armed constabulary. Heroism by local women, was of a level rarely experienced outside of Dublin in 1916, and the event was brought to the notice of newspapers across the world with questions being raised in the House of Commons.

The Moore History Community Project was formed under the umbrella of the Moore History Group, with a cast of over 30. The cast was drawn from the local community, including the very talented Moore Drama Group, the Red Salamander Theatre Company, the ICA and the Moore and Clonfad choirs. Taking part in the dramatic production, are several actors and actresses who have the honour of playing family members who lived through the era.
​
The play is produced by Ballinasloe author Xandra Kilduff, who is at present writing a book on the Mathers family. In the past, Xandra has produced with many groups including Relays Drama Group, The Oat Gallery Players, and the award winning Red Salamander Theatre Company.
The premiere will be held in Moore Hall at 8 pm on Friday, November 27th and will run for three nights until November 29th. For further information or bookings please contact 086 1608451.