Written and performed by Frankie McCafferty
Directed by Charlie Bonner
Produced by An Grianán Theatre Productions
For anyone who’s ever been young and dreamed of going to a festival and finding Nirvana…
Lisdoon Nirvana is a dramatic monologue with live music, written and performed by Frankie McCafferty and directed by Charlie Bonner.
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…
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
Original music by Frankie McCafferty and Ciaran O Neill
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
Tour Dates 2025
27 Feb to 1 Mar
An Grianán Theatre
4 Mar
Roscommon Arts Centre
6 March
Droichead Arts Centre
7 March
Ramor Arts Centre
9 May
Seamus Ennis Arts Centre (TSEAC), Naul Village
10 May
The Mac Upstairs, Belfast
Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival
25 July
Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey
28 July
John Hewitt Summer School
3 Aug
Ballydream Festival
17 Sept
Town Hall Theatre, Galway
24 to Sat 27 Sept
The Lyric Theatre, Belfast
13 Nov
Belltable, Limerick
2026
30 Jan
Wexford Arts Centre
13 Feb
Backstage Theatre, Longford
20 Feb
Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar
21 Feb
Garage Theatre, Monaghan
