Original Poster Artwork - Joanne Hackett

We would like to introduce to you the wonderful work of Joanne Hackett…

Joanne is a part of the Creative Team for Goll and is a long time friend of Strive Theatre. She has conceptualised and painted our poster image and we owe her a huge debt of gratitude… We are absolutely thrilled with it!

The Crow’s Old Gold by Carina McNally
dir. Ciarán MacArtain
Lehanmore Theatre, Beara, Co. Cork
May 31st - 8pm
Tickets €18 - https://tcog.brownpapertickets.com/

Supported by Cork County Council Arts Office & The Creative Places: Islands Scheme.

Cast Introductions - Judith Ryan - Grainne / Maree

The Crow’s Old Gold by Carina McNally

We’re delighted to bring to you more news of our wonderful cast…

Next up, we are excited to be working with the versatile, powerful Judith Ryan.

Judith Ryan - Gráinne / Maree

Judith has performed on Stage, Radio & Screen. Previous roles include Hartleby in adaptations to Irish of Tim Crouch’s piece Clodagh in JERAMÍ , HARTLEBY agus OOGLEMÓR for Fíbín Theatre Co. Clodagh in MICRODISNEY, solo piece by Neil Flynn and winner of The Belltable Connect Award. Annabelle in ANNABELLE STAR (The Ark), Rosalind in AS YOU LIKE IT (Druid), Helen (c) in THE CRIPPLE OF INISMAAN (National Theatre) Bean on Lios in DUN NA MBAN TRI THINE, barmaid in ASYLUM, ASYLUM (The Peacock). Primrose in THE GINGERBREAD MIX-UP (Andrews Lane). Maura in A SNAIL CALLED SAM, Missus Turner in THE SOUND AND THE SPERM both for RTE RADIO. Tv & Film credits include Karen in DAMAGE produced by RTE. Martha Brennan in PURE MULE – Eden Films/RTE. Shirley in Roddy Doyle’s THE FAMILY- BBC/RTE.

Judith is delighted to be part of The Crow’s Old Gold.

The Crow’s Old Gold by Carina McNally
dir. Ciarán MacArtain
Lehanmore Theatre, Beara, Co. Cork
May 31st - 8pm
Tickets €18 - https://tcog.brownpapertickets.com/

Supported by Cork County Council Arts Office & The Creative Places: Islands Scheme.

Creative Team Introductions - Carina McNally - Playwright

The Crow’s Old Gold

We are delighted to introduce the brains of this operation, the multi-talented Carina McNally. We were thrilled when Carina reached out to us to finalise the development of this powerful piece of work and to produce its premiere…

Playwright - Carina McNally

Alongside her job at publishing house Mercier Press, Carina is a freelance writer based in the Beara Peninsula, Co. Cork.  Once a freelance journalist, creative writing pursuits included writing for children’s radio programme Fiction 15 (RTE Radio 1) and panto for Lehanmore Panto Group. Her short stories have appeared in a range of publications including Cyphers Literary Magazine and Woman’s Way. Her novel Mithim, set in Wexford during Cromwellian times, is due for release by Mercier Press in Feb '26. The Crow’s Old Gold is her first play.

The Crow’s Old Gold by Carina McNally
dir. Ciarán MacArtain
Lehanmore Theatre, Beara, Co. Cork
May 31st - 8pm

Supported by Cork County Council Arts Office & The Creative Places: Islands Scheme.

The Crow’s Old Gold Playwright - Carina McNally

***Project Announcement*** - The Crow's Old Gold by Carina McNally

We are feeling grateful in the spring sun today! Delighted to be able to announce that we have a new project about to premiere…

The Crow’s Old Gold by Carina McNally will premiere in Lehanmore Theatre, Beara Peninsula, Co. Cork on May 31st. 

Supported by Cork County Council Arts Office & Creative Places: Islands Scheme.


We were delighted to receive the 4th draft of this script as a submission early in the year having been developed with mentorship from Eadaíon O’Donoghue. Having supported this development process for the past number of months, we are delighted now to be heading to Allihies to produce  the 5th draft of this exciting new work by Carina McNally.

***
The Crow’s Old Gold 

A windswept rock, Crow Island, near Dursey, holds a legend of gold left behind by a magical blacksmith The Gaibleann Gabha and his Cow of Plenty. Is it myth? Or is this rock home to some immortal force, floating there in eternal restlessness? Only Gavin knows the answer, but when he shares it with Gráinne, the practical and sharp-tongued local shop assistant, her skepticism of old superstitions leaves him questioning his own truth. On the other hand, Maree, a woman from Cavan, has journeyed to the Beara Peninsula with a deep sense of purpose—to make an offering to the legendary forge before facing a life-altering surgery. Immersing herself in the ancient lore of the Dé Danann, seeking meaning and strength, she awaits a sign from the old gods. Gavin, caught between both of their worlds, is perplexed. Can the legend of the Gaibleann Gabha ever be revived again?

The Crow’s Old Gold is a story where past and present collide in a myth, superstition, and personal reckoning while delving into the folklore of the Gaibhleann Gabha, the Hag of Beara, and the ancient spirits that inhabit the rugged coast of Dursey, and rocks Bull, Cow and Calf. Through humour, wit and moments of haunting beauty, The Crow’s Old Gold explores the enduring power of myth and the ways in which the past continues to shape the present.

***


Keep an eye out for creative team announcements coming soon…

The Crow’s Old Gold by Carina McNally

dir. Ciarán MacArtain

Lehanmore Theatre, Lehanmore, Beara, Co. Cork - Sat. May 31st @ 8.00pm

Links to follow…

Strive Theatre are hiring for a Production Stage Manager

Strive Theatre are seeking an experienced Stage Manager for the premiere of The Crow’s Old Gold by Carina McNally, supported by Cork County Council Arts Office and The Creative Places: Islands Scheme.

Key dates.

Reading.

Late March.

Rehearsal.

May 12th to 30th - Lehanmore Theatre, Allihies.

Premiere May 31st - Lehanmore Theatre, Allihies.

Tour dates (provisional) - Each weekend in September, 4 West Cork Islands.

Fees.

Rehearsal period.

€650 per week (5 x 5.5hr calls) x 3 weeks.

Production meetings x 4 at €25 p/ h.

Performance.

€200 per performance.

Travel, accommodation and expenses covered by company.

***

We require someone with good experience as a stage manager, who is organised and diligent but also personable and supportive. The team is small and will be working hard over a short, intense rehearsal period. In this regard the PSM will be a key factor in linking the different production departments and supporting the actors and creatives. It is expected the PSM will be present for all rehearsals and production meetings.

Key duties.

Rehearsal room. Line notes for actors, taking notes for designers and communicating with them. Keeping track of decisions as they are made and any changes that may occur over the process. Support the actors.

Production team. Support the designers and director in the achievement of the production concept. Be an outlet to all team members. The company adhere to Safe to Create guidance. The PSM should be available as an outlet to any team member that may be treated in a way that contradicts that guidance should it occur.

Marketing and PR. Take rehearsal shots and short video clips to support the marketing campaign. Be a support to the company’s marketing campaign, inputting into the devising and implementing of the marketing strategy.

Performance. Manage the get in and get out. Call the show (as necessary). Liaise with co-producers re. tour and production schedule.

***

We are really excited by this new project and are delighted by the team of creatives that we’ve assembled to work on it. We are keen to find a PSM that will shall our enthusiasm for the project and will be a positive influence on the team dynamic. If you would like to get involved please send us a short cover note (300 words approx.) introducing yourself and your CV to strivetheatre12@gmail.com. Please put The Crow’s Old Gold - PSM in the subject line of the email.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Mile buíochas go leir.

The Strive Theatre Team

Audition Notice - Crow's Old Gold - Carina McNally

 
***Audition Notice***
(PAID)


Crow’s Old Gold by Carina McNally

dir. Ciarán MacArtain

Rehearsal period. May 5th to 25th 2025

Premiere May 31st 2025.

Tour dates pending.

***

The Crow’s Old Gold

Carina McNally.


A Play.


A rock near Dursey Island called The Crow.
In collaboration with playwright Éadaoin O’ Donoghue.

The Crow’s Old Gold explores the mythology of the magical blacksmith, the Gaibhleann Gabha, on Crow Island at the end of the Beara Peninsula, the Hag of Beara on Dursey Island and the rocks Bull, Cow and Calf. Centering on Goibhniú, the Dé Danann blacksmithing God, the play is set on a rock near Dursey Island called The Crow where he is reputed to have had his magical forge. 

***

Roles.

Grainne / Maree - A versatille actor aged between 35 and 45 who can take on the roles of both Grainne and Maree. 

Grainne is a village women working in the local supermarket with an ear for juicy gossip and no nonsense approach to sparing peoples’ blushes…

Maree is a Cavan women, whose come to West Cork to make an offering to An Gabhleann Gabha before she is due to undergo a significant operation. Passionate about Irish lore, she is on a mission of discovery to deepen her connection to the old Gods.

Gavin - An island character whose famous/ infamous around the village… Down-at-heel and nostalgic for his former glory, Gavin is on a mission to rediscover his vigour and hear his name held in the respect it once was. An understanding of the Irish language an advantage but not a pre-requisite. 

Auditions to be held in Civic Trust House on Tuesday February 11th and Wednesday February 12th. Slots available on Tuesday between 1pm - 4pm and on Wednesday between 5pm and 9pm. To book an audition please email strivetheatre12@gmail.com with “Audition Booking” in the subject line of the email, your preferred time and day and a CV and headshot attached. We ask auditionees to prepare a 1 - 2 min. monologue of their choice. Sides provided also. For any further information please email strivetheatre12@gmail.com. If the above times and days do not suit please get in contact to see if an alternative can be found.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Mile Buíochas

- The Strive Theatre Team