Thomas The Fairy-Spirit

Maria researched the tradition of fairies in and around Dingle during her college days in UCG. She then proceeded to write a play around the stories. Thomas is invisible on stage and Bróigín is his wife. There are many stories woven thru the different conversations.

Maria participated in a course “Scéal Eile” [GFC & FÁS] and then re-wrote “Tomás na bPúcaí” [Thomas The Fairy-Spirit] which was read in Bewleys Theatre by Amharclann de hÍde at Christmas.
Údarás na Gaeltachta, An Comhlachas Náisiúnta Drámaíochta and Comhairle Contae Phort Láirge, organised a national competition and “Tomás na bPúcaí” won overall. There was a Gala Night in Dingle on 12th March 1999 where the play was staged by Aisteoirí Bhréanainn and Maria received the sum of £500. The director – Liam Ó Mathúna – was engaged by Comhlachas to produce the play – as part of the over-all prize. The play won two awards – best producer and best actors in Feothanach and we also won two awards in Cúil Aodha on 19th March 1999. We were invited to numerous places with the play and it has been a great success, thank God. We performed the play at the Dublin Theatre Festival on 15th October 1999, where we received a rapturous applause!