Duty, and Other Irish Comedies

"Duty, and Other Irish Comedies" by Seumas O'Brien is a compilation of comedic one-act plays from the early 1900s that wittily examines Irish life by presenting the interactions of unusual people, especially emphasizing the themes of responsibility, law enforcement, and social struggles in a country environment. "Duty" starts in a rural Irish bar's back kitchen, where Micus Goggin and Padna Sweeney drink porter while complaining about the strictness of local police regulations. Mrs. Cotter, the bar owner, worries about losing her license because the police might visit, as they complain about drunkenness and the unfairness of the law. Head Constable Mulligan and Sergeant Dooley break their cheerful discussion when they get there, which emphasizes the mounting animosity between the police and the locals. These humorous conversations set the stage for a light-hearted investigation of social order and individual freedoms. O'Brien's satirical take on the Irish social structure of the time is brought to light through the comedic interplay.