Irish Plays and Playwrights

"Irish Plays and Playwrights" by Cornelius Weygandt is a journey into the heart of the Celtic Renaissance, a time when Irish culture experienced a vibrant rebirth in the early 1900s. The book shines a light on the playwrights who led this movement, retelling how they took old Irish stories and legends and turned them into exciting new plays, with special attention paid to key people such as W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory. Specifically, it shows how writers and influential thinkers helped create a strong sense of Irish identity through stories and theater, especially at the Abbey Theatre. The beginning of the book sets the stage by describing how some people didn't think literature could make a big difference in Ireland, yet certain voices rose to promote a national identity through storytelling and plays. By mixing Irish legends with influences from other countries, the book prepares the reader for learning more about the story of Irish theater.