Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

The Ferryman is set in Northern Ireland in 1981, during the height of the Troubles. Quinn, a former terrorist, has swapped his career with the Irish Republican Army (IRA) for a life on the farm in rural Armagh. He now lives with his sickly wife, their children, his sister-in-law and nephew. The IRA murdered Quinn’s brother, Seamus, when he was just twenty years old and his body has only recently been discovered. He was one of the sixteen men and women who were killed and buried in unknown locations during the 1970s, leaving their family unsure as to whether they were alive or dead. Seamus was apparently shot dead following Quinn’s defection from the IRA in 1972, and a threateningly influential IRA member, Muldoon, now comes to pay Quinn a visit. He is keen to ensure that there are no further repercussions to the IRA’s cause, now Seamus’ murder has come to light.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Mature Audiences (M)
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
2017
Genres
Drama, Dark Comedy
Settings
Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
Derry, Rural County Armagh, Northern Ireland, August 1981
Cast Size
large
Licensor
Nick Hern Book
Ideal For
Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Child, Early Teen, Elderly, Late Teen Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Quinn Carney

Lead

Male

Spoken

Caitlin Carney

Lead

Female

Spoken

Frank Magennis

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Father Horrigan

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Muldoon

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Nuala (Nunu) Carney

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Aunt Maggie Faraway

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Shena Carney

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Uncle Patrick Carney

Supporting

Male

Spoken

James Joseph (JJ) Carney

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Oisin Carney

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Aunt Patricia Carney

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Tom Kettle

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Michael Carney

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Mary Carney

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Shane Corcoran

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Diarmaid Corcoran

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Lawrence Malone

Featured

Male

Spoken

Mercy Carney

Featured

Female

Spoken

Honor Carney

Featured

Female

Spoken

Declan Corcoran

Featured

Male

Spoken

Songs

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher