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IF YOU’VE EVER been to Ballybunion in county Kerry, you’ll be familiar with the statue of Bill Clinton.
The former US President has played at the town’s golf course and a statue of him teeing off was erected in his honour.
The story of Clinton’s 1998 visit is being immortalised on the Dublin stage in A Statue For Bill Clinton.
The play opened earlier this week in the O’Reilly Theatre at Belvedere College on 6 Great Denmark Street, off Parnell Street, Dublin. And, while it tells a very Irish story, the play is written by a former mayor of San Jose, California.
Tom McEnery is an American author, businessman, teacher and former first citizen of the Californian city.
Being the grandson of Irish emigrants, his Irish links are deep, having completed his Masters thesis on Michael Collins and spent four months living in Ballybunion.
He told TheJournal.ie that the play came from a desire to tell a story of a major moment in time on a very micro scale.
It comes from the brutal and completely inspirational truth. Those few months happened exactly as they’re portrayed in the play – the Good Friday Agreement, the Monica Lewinsky scandal, the votes in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
“Clinton had huge problems at home and what they generally do is get out of town. So what we have added is the love affair between a man and his town and an American and a local girl, but the chronology is intact.”
While the Irish emigrant story is one that is well told, McEnery says that his time in Ballybunion made him interested in the Irish who stay behind.
“This story tells about Irish people who stayed here – those who couldn’t or didn’t leave – what are they here for? What are they working towards?
“There is a lesson in the play for Ireland in 2017 – if you’re committed and work day by day, sometimes good things happen. It all came together that one day in 1998 for this town.
“[When I lived in Ballybunion] I just learned so much about Ireland – why my grandparents left, why others stayed. Immigrants have always fascinated me, but I became fascinated with those who stayed.
Down in Kerry, the locals are pleased to have the town back in the news, with 25 people travelling up to Dublin for the opening night.
The people of Ballybunion are pleased. It’s not a good scene out in the west and they’re happy with the renewed interest in the town.
As for the future, McEnery thinks the play could translate to the other side of the Atlantic.
“It’s possible that this could have a life in Ireland and in the US.
The Irish story is so universal. I thought there was a story to tell here about this moment in time, wrapped around what happened this little town.
“If I’ve done my job, the audience will see that story.”
A Statue for Bill Clinton runs for a short and limited time until Sunday, 13 August, at the O’Reilly Theatre off Parnell Square, 6 Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1. Tickets are available here and by phone on (01) 443 3774 and range from €25 to €30, with show time at 8pm and matinées on Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm.
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Amazing that you win one match, and you get into the qualifers
@The Firestarter: the would have got in even if they lost against France, tho likely unseeded
@The Firestarter: what are you talking about?
@The Firestarter: kinda hard not to qualify
@The Firestarter: zzzzzzzzzz
@john kenny: zz
Big hard man Damien O’Sullivan giving pelters to women who have achieved more in their lives than he ever will. Damien, you are a troll on the Internet and these woman are representing their country. They stand head and shoulders above people like you. Let that sink in.
@Sun Rise: As ever you are brave behind your keyboard and fake name. The fact you call people trolls while trolling the internet behind tells a lot about the person behind the account.
@Ger Whelan: you are a vicious piece of work. He is defending the womens team show respect boy.
@Sean Money: was it Putin’s fault the girls didn’t win all their games?
@Ger Whelan: you are a sick puppy. Be happy Ireland won.
@Sean Money: Erm they didn’t win . They finished bottom of their group with 1 win out of 5 games. Hardly worth celebrating
@Sun Rise: I reported you just now.
Hopefully the last comment you’ll ever make on this.
I repeat. The current team is useless they were much better under Vera. Constructive criticism, not some misogynistic agenda you’re pushing.
Suck on that.
@Sun Rise: God help the team if they have likes of you ‘looking out’ for them.
You’ll be hearing from the Journal soon. Bye bye a*****e.
Good draw
They’re useless
@Damien O’Sullivan: i hope your talking about FFG,,,
@Damien O’Sullivan: Damien give that phone back to your mother until you mature a bit like a good little boy.
@James Leahy: Just criticising the current team. They were better under Vera.
Why don’t you run off and troll elsewhere fool. You have no idea what you’re talking about
@james rowan: Yeah them too
Nobody is interested in women’s soccer, it’s just not very good
@Auld Lad: 16 000 in Pairc Ui Caoimh.
@Auld Lad: another Immature small boy pretending to be an Auld lad.
@James Leahy: oh look, here’s the white Knight on his steed, getting offended on behalf of women everywhere
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: been to bigger raves
@Auld Lad: yeah we can tell…oh the irony
@Auld Lad: doubt you’ve left your mother’s basement in the past ten years.
No stopping them now after they beat France so easily
have your say