One night in the Pub, long after closing time, a brace of segocias — being Dublin men, you understand — and the landlord of the house were risking an endorsement by being there at all at that hour, not to mention the fact that they were also drinking!

Any fears they might have had regarding the endorsement would have been well-founded, for as they sat there that night, a Garda Sergeant was indeed on the prowl and did knock on the panels of the locked front door. The events that followed are the subject of a play, Thirst, which being staged in licensed premises throughout Ranelagh for the duration of the Arts Festival is, naturally, deeply suspect!

It will be directed by Niall Henry, who made the mistake of suggesting the idea to Brendan Ellis, who will play the landlord. Seán Gormley and Finbar Byrne have agreed to allow themselves to be transplanted from their normal haunts to inhabit this imaginary bar as Jem and Peter for the duration of the performances, while the Garda Sergeant will be played by Desmond Ellis, visiting his native Ranelagh from the dry wastes of Toronto for the launch of his new book, Bockety.

Friedhelm Arntz, meanwhile, will cast a cold eye on props and costumes for the performances. Written by one of Ireland’s great literary geniuses, Flann O’Brien — a man renowned for his sharp wit and biting satire — Thirst promises to give you a completely different take on your regular visit to the pub.

Date, Locations and Times

Thurs 28th Sep
Russell's pub 9.15pm

Fri 29th Sep
Corrigan's pub 7pm

Sat 30th Sep
Humphrey's pub 2pm

Sat 30th Sep
Russell's pub 6pm

Sun 1st Oct
Humphrey's pub 1pm

Sun 1st Oct
McSorley's pub 7pm

Sun 1st Oct
Birchall's pub 9pm
Last event of the Festival!

This is a Free Event