Sean O'Casey's Three Dublin Plays celebrated on national postage stamps

21 March 2023

Sean O’Casey’s ‘Three Dublin Plays’ – the Shadow of a Gunman (1923),  Juno and the Paycock (1924) and The Plough and the Stars (1926) are celebrated on three new stamps from An Post, issued to mark the centenary of the first production of Shadow of a Gunman at the Abbey in 1923.

Designed by Oonagh Young of Design HQ in Dublin, the designs are inspired by the playbills of the era and the three national (N) stamps and a limited edition envelope are available at main post offices and online at anpost.com/shop (with free next-day delivery).   An Post expects strong interest from those with an interest in Irish literature, history and theatre at home and abroad. 
 
Born in Dublin’s north inner city in 1880,  O’Casey’s had first-hand experience of the impact of the Easter Rising, the War of Independence and the Civil War on the lives of ordinary people and families across the city. His rich experience of living and working conditions, trade unions, politics and city life at the time fuels the narrative of his acclaimed works.     
 
An Post new stamps coincided with the announcement by Druid Theatre of DruidO’Casey, a hugely ambitious theatrical event which sees all  three of Sean O’Casey’s great Dublin plays being performed in one day, under a unified artistic vision, directed by Druid’s Artistic Director, co-founder and Tony award-winner Garry Hynes.  The world premiere of DruidO’Casey will take place at the Town Hall Theatre in Galway this July as part of Galway International Arts Festival. It will then travel to the Lyric Theatre in Belfast and the Abbey Theatre in Dublin.
 
DruidO’Casey begins with The Plough and the Stars, the story of newlyweds Jack and Nora Clitheroe living in a city on the brink of rebellion in 1916. In The Shadow of a Gunman, ordinary people find themselves tragically tangled up in the Irish War of Independence. The saga ends with Juno and the Paycock and the Boyle family who see their fortunes dashed amidst the upheaval of the Irish Civil War.