Finvola:

The Gem of the Roe

a modern-day adaptation

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Developed in workshops with:

Aisling Nic Giollagin

Annie N Lochlainn
Cian MacBhloscaidh
Cliodhna N Mhianin
Erin N Dhioln
Ferdia Cathin
Katie OKane-Purvis
Keeley N Bhrolachin
Praic Kearney
Rhannon Nic Fealin
Rnn de Lads
Sadhbha Nic Ruaidhr
Sanna Martin
S g Martin
Setanta Gribn
Tiarna N Nill

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CHORUS A
CHORUS 1: In the lands of OCahan,
Where bleak mountains rise
CHORUS 2: Over those brown rugged tops
The deep thundercloud flies
CHORUS 3: Deep sunk in a valley
A wild flower did grow
CHORUS 4: And her name was Finvola
The Gem of the Roe
CHORUS 5: And her name was Finvola
The Gem of the Roe

SONG 1: Sil a Rin Instrumental only

ANGUS is stood by a graveside. As he stands there, FINVOLA comes

and stands in front of the band. ANGUS cannot see her. She sings
the chorus:

FINVOLA: Siuil, siuil, siul a run

SUNG Siuil go sochair agus siuil go ciuin
Siuil go doras agus ealaigh lion
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan

As the music continues playing, FINVOLA stands back and watches

ANGUS. When the music quietens:

ANGUS: Fin
I wanted to come visit.

CHORUS B
CHORUS 1: The weather was cold
The night got bleak
CHORUS 2: Angus was freezing

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 And growing quite weak
CHORUS 3: He touched the grave
Where the Gem, she lay
CHORUS 4: And he said goodnight
Hed be back the next day
CHORUS 5: And he said goodnight
Hed be back the next day

FINVOLA: Go, go, go, my love

Go quietly and go peacefully
Go to the door and fly with me
And may you go safely, my darling

ANGUS stands and leaves the grave.

SONG 2: Beoga: Eochaid Instrumental only

We are now on a street with a folk band. The music they are playing
clearly affects Angus. He stops to listen, remembering. He throws a
coin into the hat at the feet of the musicians.

CHORUS 1: Thank you!

ANGUS smiles to acknowledge, and stays to listen. As the music

plays:

CHORUS B
CHORUS 1: The music meant more
Than we could know
CHORUS 2: It was the first dance Angus had
With the Gem of the Roe
CHORUS 3: And as they played the tune
His mind took him away

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CHORUS 4: To when they first met
On a Summers Day
CHORUS 5: To when they first met
On a Summers Day

Suddenly, the scene changes to a park. ANGUS is walking slightly

behind FINVOLA.

ANGUS: And you wont give me your number?

FINVOLA: My da would never allow it.
ANGUS: Awh go on
She smiles at him.
FINVOLA: Im sure youll find me if youre that keen!

FINVOLA starts to walk away, but ANGUS stops her and twirls her.
Suddenly, they freeze - FINVOLA walks away. When shes gone, the
scene is back to the street with the folk band.

CHORUS A
CHORUS 1: His memories of her
Were the happiest he had
CHORUS 2: Though in spite of this
They made him sad
CHORUS 3: His grief overwhelmed him
But all he could do
CHORUS 4: Was remember the day
They said I do
CHORUS 5: Was remember the day
They said I do

SONG 3: Wedding Bells Instrumental only

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We are thrown into a happy party scene, ANGUS and FINVOLAS
wedding day. MR. OCAHAN is also here, drinking and merry, along
with Finvolas brothers. There are other guests dancing, chatting
and drinking.

MR. OCAHAN claps his hands to silence the band for a speech.

MR. OCAHAN: And here we are, on this happy day My one and
only daughter,
Finvola, has become Mrs. McDonnell, and tomorrow she ventures
off to
Scotland to start her new life with Angus.

MR. OCAHAN signals to ANGUS and FINVOLA to step forward.

MR. OCAHAN: I was wary at first, Angus, but you have made my
Finvola very
happy.

MR. OCAHAN raises his glass, and the crowd do the same.

MR. OCAHAN: To Angus and Finvola!

CROWD: To Angus and Finvola!

SONG 4: Ryans Polka Instrumental only

The crowd cheer and have fun.

CHORUS B
CHORUS 1: The newlyweds were happy
And excited to start
CHORUS 2: Their new life in Scotland
And theyd never part

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CHORUS 3: Finvola said goodbye
But only for a while
CHORUS 4: And Mr. OCahan watched his daughter
Start her new life
CHORUS 5: And Mr. OCahan watched his daughter
Start her new life

MR. OCAHAN and the BROTHERS take centre stage.

MR. OCAHAN: I wish them happiness. No matter what, Finvola will

be returned
to Ireland and buried here.
BRO 1: Rightly so, with her family.
BRO 2: We shall all be together.
BRO 3: Even in death.

They leave the stage.

CHORUS A
CHORUS 1: Angus had made a promise
He would not keep
CHORUS 2: A promise that would haunt him
Even in sleep
CHORUS 3: He swore to the OCahans
If Finvola should die
CHORUS 4: He would return her body
To the Emerald Isle
CHORUS 5: He would return her body
To the Emerald Isle

FINVOLA and ANGUS come onstage. ANGUS is on his phone / laptop,

doing work, keeping busy. FINVOLA is playing the ukulele and
singing to herself.

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SONG 5: Here Comes The Sun Katie playing uke and
singing

CHORUS B
CHORUS 1: Life in Scotland
Was bonnie and bright
CHORUS 2: Finvola was happier
Than shed been her whole life
CHORUS 3: With Angus shed found
A love so true
CHORUS 4: And the more time passed
The stronger it grew
CHORUS 5: And the more time passed
The stronger it grew

FINVOLA stops singing. Her and ANGUS exit the stage.

MD SIGNALS:
SOUNDSCAPE: Wind, rain, spooky, forboding.

CHORUS A
CHORUS 1: But nothing lasts
Or so they say
CHORUS 2: And nothing could prepare them
For that fateful day
CHORUS 3: When everything changed
And was torn apart
CHORUS 4: And Angus was left
With a broken heart
CHORUS 5: And Angus was left
With a broken heart

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FINVOLA takes centre stage and lies down.

SONG 6: Mise ire Instrumental only

CHORUS B
CHORUS 1: One silent morning
Finvola did not wake
CHORUS 2: And Angus pure heart
Started to break
CHORUS 3: She lay on her bed
As though she were sleeping
CHORUS 4: With Angus beside her
Softly weeping
CHORUS 5: With Angus beside her
Softly weeping

ANGUS lays flowers on FINVOLA, symbolising that she is now buried.

SONG 7: Mo Ghr th a Thiarna Instrumental only

CHORUS B
CHORUS 1: Angus grief was
Tearing him down
CHORUS 2: And he buried Finvola
On Scottish ground
CHORUS 3: The promise he made
He had to break
CHORUS 4: For Finvola was one thing
They would not take
CHORUS 5: Finvola was one thing
They would not take

FINVOLA and ANGUS leave the stage.

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MD SIGNALS:
All at the same time the whole cast shriek like banshees.
They stop simultaneously.

CHORUS A
CHORUS 1: In Ireland they heard
The banshee cry
CHORUS 2: And the OCahans knew
Exactly why
CHORUS 3: When days turned to weeks
And Angus did not appear
CHORUS 4: The OCahans left for Scotland
To bring Finvola here
CHORUS 5: The OCahans left for Scotland
To bring Finvola here

SONG 8: Fill Fill Fill a Rn Instrumental only

MR. OCAHAN and the brothers are angry.

MR. OCAHAN: You made a promise!

BRO 1: You gave us your word.
ANGUS: I know
BRO 2: I never took you for a liar.
ANGUS: Im not!
BRO 3: Where is she buried?
MR. OCAHAN: Take us to her!

They all leave the stage.

CHORUS A
CHORUS 1: And just like that

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 They took Finvola back with them
CHORUS 2: Leaving Angus in Scotland
Heartbroken and grieving
CHORUS 3: The OCahans did not email
Or call or write
CHORUS 4: And on her year anniversary
Angus had to make it right
CHORUS 5: And on her year anniversary
Angus had to make it right

The scene changes back to the grave. ANGUS is standing by the

grave again.

ANGUS: I had to come back before I go I needed to say sorry. I

broke a promise and Im sorry for that.

As ANGUS speaks, MR. OCAHAN comes onstage and listens.

ANGUS: And youre where you belong now. Home.

CHORUS B
CHORUS 1: Mr. OCahan stepped
Forward to say
CHORUS 2: He appreciated the words
And together they prayed
CHORUS 3: They left the Gems grave
Together in peace
CHORUS 4: The troubles between them
Finally ceased
CHORUS 5: The troubles between them
Finally ceased

FINVOLA is watching them go, smiling.

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SONG 9: Sil a Rin

FINVOLA: Siuil, siuil, siul a run

SUNG Siuil go sochair agus siuil go ciuin
Siuil go doras agus ealaigh lion
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan

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