Romance, humor, music, imagination and lyrical language abound in this classic Irish tale of a small village that embraces a young stranger. The play tells the story of Christy Mahon and how he becomes a hero to a town on the west coast of Ireland after describing how he is on the run for killing his father.

Set in Michael James Flaherty's public house, the locals embrace Christy because of the daring nature of his act. Soon after his arrival, he captures the attention of the barmaid, Pegeen Mike, daughter of Flaherty. First produced in 1907, this play sent shock waves through the dramatic world, pushing the limits of decency and stoking an already red-hot nationalistic fire in Ireland. Though met with near instant rioting and controversy, it is now considered a masterpiece of poetic drama.