Aideen O’Connor and Ria Mooney had different backgrounds, ambitions and creative visions. They came of age in an Ireland desperate to control and restrict women: their sexuality; their careers; their independent lives. They were united by one thing: a devotion to theatre and to Ireland’s National Theatre in particular.

Aideen O’Connor joined the company through the Abbey School in the early 1930s and was the first actress to play the promiscuous Jessie Tate in Sean O’Casey’s The Silver Tassie. Ria Mooney was the first actress to play Rosie Redmond, the prostitute in The Plough and the Stars.

Ciara O’Dowd is author of a new history book of these actresses and the Abbey Theatre.

Note: Limited spaces, booking essential.