‘I carry their memory as I take on this role’ - Ruth McGill in Dancing at Lughnasa

Ardara’s Ruth McGill has been cast in ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’, an appointment close to her heart.

Ruth will play Kate Mundy and is ‘delighted’ to fill the role in the play written first in 1990 by Brian Friel, a native of Glenties.  

“I am honoured to bring this story to life with such a wonderful cast and director,” Ruth - who previously appeared in the likes of Leap Year, Jack Taylor and The Bright Side - posted.  “Having grown up in Donegal myself and gone to school in Glenties - the fictional Ballybeg of the play-  this play holds such meaning for me.”

Set in 1936, Dancing at Lughnasa centres on the Mundy sisters as the Constitution of Ireland is being conceived. The play depicts female resilience while celebrating freedom and truth. 

The play is told through the eyes of the narrator Michael Evans with the main focus being a month in the lives of the five sisters. Ruth’s character is the eldest sister, Kate is a motherly figure of sorts and is the main earner. 

Dancing at Lughnasa resonates with Ruth as it focuses on recounting memories, which reminds her of her parents.  In a twist of fate, she learned of getting the role on a special day. 

“Today is also a bitter-sweet day to announce this news, as it’s my Dad’s birthday,” she posted on Tuesday. “ I miss our little chats, simply being in his company, and especially sharing moments like these. Both my Mum and Dad have left this world now, and days like today remind me of their absence.

“Dancing at Lughnasa is a play about memory and the past, and it resonates deeply with my reflections and memories of my parents. I carry their memory with me as I take on this role.

“I am grateful to everyone who has supported me on this journey. Here’s to new beginnings and cherishing the memories made along the way.” 

The full casting is Zara Devlin, who will play Chris, Lauren Farrell as Rose, Peter Gowen will take the role of Father Jack, Nicky Harley will play Agnes, Terence Keeley as Michael, Molly Logan will play Maggie and Jack Meade as Gerry. Dancing as Lughnasa is a Brian Friel play that Caroline Byrne directed and it is set to come to the Gate Theatre in Dublin on July 12.