Eslin Drama Group revives ‘Many Young Men of Twenty’

A powerful Irish classic exploring emigration, hardship and the pull of home is set to return to the stage in Eslin this month, as Eslin Drama Group prepares to stage Many Young Men of Twenty.

The renowned play by John B. Keane will run for three nights at Eslin Community Centre from April 15 to 17, bringing with it a story that has echoed through generations of Irish life.

First written in 1961, the musical drama centres on young men in rural Ireland forced to leave home in search of work, capturing the humour, heartbreak and harsh reality of emigration.

Speaking ahead of the production, Leitrim Councillor from Eslin Enda Stenson said the play still strikes a chord today.“ It might be set in another time, but the themes are exactly the same. Young people are still being forced to leave — that hasn’t changed,” he said.

The production features a large local cast of more than 15 performers, continuing a strong tradition of community theatre in the area.

Among those taking to the stage are Grace Stenson as Peg Finnerty, Noel McKeon as Danger Mullally, Colm McCabe as Maurice Brown, Marie McNulty as Seelie Hannigan and Donal McCabe as Tom Hannigan, alongside a host of familiar local faces.

Enda said that sense of community is central to the production. “That’s what makes it special — it’s local people telling a story that belongs to places like this. There’s huge pride in it.”

The play was previously staged locally by Eslin Dramatic Society in the late 1970s, during a time when emigration once again gripped rural Ireland amid economic hardship and rising unemployment.

He described the production as one that balances humour with a deeper emotional core.“ There’s great music and great characters in it, but underneath it all, it’s a very real story about loss — about people leaving home and what that does to families and communities.”

That earlier production, remembered for drawing large crowds, reflected the lived experience of many in the community at the time.

Enda said bringing the play back now felt particularly significant.“There’s a real sense that we’re coming full circle. People will recognise the story straight away — whether it’s from their own lives or from family.”

The production features a large local cast, continuing a long tradition of strong community theatre in the area, with music playing a central role in the storytelling.“It’s not just a play — it’s part of our history. These are stories that belong to communities like ours,” Enda added.

With rising living costs and ongoing pressures facing younger generations, the themes of Many Young Men of Twenty remain as relevant now as when it was first performed.

And as the curtain rises once again in Eslin, audiences can expect not just entertainment — but a reflection of Ireland’s past, and perhaps, its present. The show runs at Eslin Community Centre from April 15 to 17, starting at 8pm nightly, with tickets at €10.