Attaining Lisdoon-Nirvana

It's 1983, Macker's 17 and is heading off on the biggest adventure of his young life – a trip to the Irish Glastonbury, Lisdoonvarna…

Written and Performed by Frankie McCafferty, and directed by Charlie Bonner, ‘Lisdoon Nirvana’ is the perfect show for anyone who’s ever been young and dreamed of going to a festival and finding their own personal Nirvana…

Based on the last music festival at Lisdoonvarna in July 1983, this evocative and nostalgic play follows one young man, 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 Ireland’s Woodstock - and a country in transition, with a backdrop of recession, church oppression, emigration, and Troubles. But for 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 he’s alright…

This show is suitable for those aged 16 years and over.

‘Lisdoon Nirvana’ comes to Ramor Arts Centre Virginia on Friday, March 7, at 8pm.

To book tickets, visit ramorartscentre.com, or book through the box office in person or by phone on 049 854 7074 Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm.