Character Roles

• Séimí
• Babaí Mháirtín
• Séimí Óg
• Babaí Óg
• Séimí aged 5
• Sarah Gallagher
• Granny
• Eamonn
• Mrs Friel
• Martin Friel
• Cearrbhach
• Betty Sheils
• Meabh
• Anna
• Pádraig Ó Dálaigh
• Siobhan
• Kathleen
• Schoolmaster
• Michael Dubh
• Father Michael

Orchestration

• Keyboard 1
• Keyboard 2
• Drums
• Bass
• Acoustic / Electric Guitars
• Violin
• Flute

Webite

https://caisleainoir.com/open_in_new

Act 1

It is 1921, and Séimí Gallagher has returned home to his childhood sweetheart 'Babaí Mháirtín' Friel. We are then taken back to 1873, days after Babaí was born. Séimí, aged five, visits the Friel household to see the new arrival (You Never Know...). As Séimí and Babaí grow up together, spending many happy days by the shore (I’ll Tell You A Story), they dream of sailing away to the golden clouds on the horizon, believing them to be castles where the fairies live (Castles Of Gold). In his late teens, Séimí befriends Cearrbhach, a gambling waster, who has just returned from working in Scotland. Cearrbhach takes notice of Babaí, who has grown into an attractive and sought after young woman. One Fair Day (It's Always An Occasion), Pádraig Ó Dálaigh, the local shopkeeper, makes an unwelcome advance at Babaí. The schoolmaster is also interested in Babaí. He is encouraged by Babaí’s mother, who thinks that a master's salary would give her a great start in life. Because of her apparent popularity, Babaí is mocked by her friends (Who Will She Marry?). Evictions are a regular occurrence (The Eviction), and Cearrbhach's elderly mother dies while they are being evicted from their home (Betty's Death). Afterwards, Cearrbhach 'goes on the run', following the death of a soldier during a confrontation that takes place at his mother's funeral while the outspoken local priest Father O'Donnell is being arrested (The Arrest / The Officer's Death). Séimí and Babaí reminisce (Castles Of Gold - Reprise), and effectively become engaged (Won't You Be With Me?), but Séimí, like most other young men of the time, has to leave to find work in Scotland. He hopes to earn the fare to America, from where he will send for Babaí. They plan that when their fortune is made, they will return home.

Act 2

Séimí sails to Scotland, unsure of his future (Course Of Time), and finds times hard there. He feels uncomfortable socialising (Séimí’s Highland), always thinking of Babaí (Thoughts Of Babaí) waiting for him at home. Séimí and Michael Dubh, another worker from home who freely offers his worldly advice (The Ballad Of Nuala Bán), both leave Scotland for America. Many years pass during which Séimí and Babaí wonder if they will ever be re-united (Sometimes I Wonder). While Séimí celebrates finding gold in the Yukon (Welcome To The Yukon) he remembers Babaí and their happiness back home in Cloghan Dubh. His thoughts are so vivid that he, even for a moment, thinks he sees her. He continues to prosper in Canada. Cearrbhach risks returning home because of his need to tell Babaí of his feelings for her. Babaí's "friends" still mock her (If Only She Had Married), knowing that she is still waiting for Séimí. It is now 1921, and Pádraig Ó Dálaigh, still bearing a grudge, tips off the Black and Tans that Cearrbhach and others are using Babaí Friel's house as a 'safe' house (After Pollen Barracks). The Black and Tans proceed to burn the house, and Cearrbhach is shot dead as he saves Babaí's life (Cearrbhach's Death). A short time later, Séimí returns home. He visits Babaí and learns of the many changes that have taken place while he has been away. He realises that almost everybody he left behind has moved away or died, and that he cannot stay. He leaves Babaí, who can't take in what has happened (Just Good Friends). Their true destiny ends the story of Caisleáin Óir.

Caisleáin Óir - The Musical began it's journey in 1998, when Leslie Long, who having studied Caisleáin Óir by Séamus Ó Grianna for his Leaving Certificate, decided to write a musical based on the novel. The first task was to translate the text into English. Having completed the first drafts of the script, and with a couple of songs written, Leslie encouraged Kathleen Ruddy to come on board. At that time, Kathleen was producing and directing youth musicals in Letterkenny with The Rainbow Theatre Group and they had worked together on several productions. During the following two years they collaborated on scripts, music, and arrangements of the songs and instrumentals, and began to realise that Caisleáin Óir - The Musical was taking on a life of it's own!

They needed a director with talent and enthusiasm, who would share their belief in the project and thus lift Caisleáin Óir - The Musical out of the pages and on to the stage. With that in mind they approached Phil Dalton, who had created, directed and choreographed many productions in the Northwest. Phil was also involved in youth drama, and suggested staging Caisleáin Óir with a youth cast.

Caisleáin Óir - The Musical premièred in An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny in September 2000, and was such a success that a second run was arranged in April 2001. Work continued on enhancing the script and original music scores. Having secured licensing rights, Leslie, Kathleen and Phil, by now established as Making Waves Productions, presented Caisleáin Óir - The Musical, this time with an adult cast, in An Grianán Theatre from November 1st to 5th 2005, thrilling the audience at each performance. The production won the prestigious “Spirit of AIMS / Adjudicator’s Special Award” in the Sullivan category at the AIMS Annual Awards Ceremony in Killarney on 17th June, 2006.

The musical has since been produced by other theatre groups, including Butt Drama Cirle, An Grianán Productions and Bosco Productions.

The following audio clips are a selection of demos of the songs and music from Caisleáin Óir, recorded at various stages before and since the première in 2000. Also, some audio clips were recorded live during Making Waves Productions' run in An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny in 2005.

Castles of Gold - The first four lines were removed from the first verse of Castles Of Gold before the premiere performance to shorten the song a little. The lines were to be sung by Séimi Óg: