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Buncrana playwright awarded
professorship
25.06.07
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Buncrana playwright,
Frank McGuinness has been named Professor of
Creative Writing at University College Dublin. The
title recognises his achievements in drama and
literature and will remain with him for as long as
he is UCD writer in residence. |
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He said: "I'm extremely
honoured with the award. This is one of the very few
times in my life when I find myself short for words.
"It is a great privilege to work in the UCD School
of English and Drama among such revered Irish
writers as my good friend and colleague Professor
Declan Kiberd." |
McGuinness who grew up
in Marian Park, just off Buncrana Main Street,
received a scholarship in the early 1970s to study
at UCD. He first came to prominence in 1982 with his
play ‘The Factory Girls' based on the experiences of
the many women in his hometown who worked in the
former McCarter's factory which would become Fruit
of the Loom.
His reputation as a master playwright was firmly
established three years later when his play ‘Observe
the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme’ was
staged at the Abbey Theatre and became acclaimed
internationally.
His plays include The Factory Girls (1982), Baglady
(1985), Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards
the Somme (1985), Innocence (1986), Cathaginians
(1988), Mary and Lizzie (1989), The Bread Man
(1991), Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me (1992), The
Bird Sanctuary (1994), Mutabilitie (1997), Dolly
West’s Kitchen (1999), Gates of Gold (2002), and
There Came a Gypsy Riding (2007).
He is also acclaimed for his translations which
include Chekhov's 'Three Sisters' and 'Uncle Vanya',
Brecht's 'The Threepenny Opera', Ibsen's 'Rosmersholm',
Sophocles's 'Electra' and Ostrovsky's 'The Storm'. |
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