Coolatully
by Fiona Doyle
by Fiona Doyle
Coolatully explores the struggles of Kilian, a former hurling champion, as he grapples with his past and the challenges of emigration in contemporary rural Ireland.
About The Play
About The Play
★★★★★ Five Stars, The Irish World
★★★★ Four Stars, The Irish Post
Kilian was once Coolatully’s pride and joy, its champion on the hurling field. Now the village can’t muster a team, the country’s shutting down, and Eilish wants to leave for a new life across the ocean. And this is 2014. As Irish history repeats itself, Kilian must confront the demons of the past and decide whether to stay or go forever.
The winner of the sixth Papatango New Writing Prize, Coolatully shines a light on modern rural Ireland, asking whether a generation can be saved.
Since the country’s plunge into recession, Ireland has experienced levels of emigration unparalleled in Europe, with young men particularly affected. Lyrical, compassionate and urgent, Fiona Doyle’s first play is an astonishing insight into the links between the economy, masculinity and society in the modern world.
Coolatully was chosen as winner of the Papatango New Writing Prize from more than 500 entries by a panel including the four members of Papatango – George Turvey, Matt Roberts, Sam Donovan and Chris Foxon – together with Neil McPherson, Artistic Director of the Finborough Theatre. All scripts were judged anonymously. The script will be published by Nick Hern Books.