THE former home of playwright Lennox Robinson in Ballymoney, near Ballineen is set to be the venue for his renowned comedy ‘Crabbed Youth and Age’ later this week.

The rooms of Ballymoney House have been filled with laughter during rehearsals for the staging of his play with a particular local West Cork cast.

The ticket-only event will celebrate community, creativity and West Cork heritage with all proceeds supporting West Cork Rapid Response and the Irish Cancer Society.

Lennox Robinson spent his formative years in the area, moving to Ballineen at the age of six when his father became a Church of Ireland clergyman. Born in Westgrove House in Douglas, the playwright and Abbey Theatre director was one of Ireland’s leading cultural figures and died in 1958.

Speaking to The Southern Star, Gráinne Bagnall said guests will be sitting in the drawing room of Lennox Robinson for the duration of the play.

‘Ballymoney House was not just where he lived, it was where he grew up. It’s the place where he discovered books, imagination and the quiet rhythms of West Cork that would later echo through his plays,’ she said.

‘If you listen closely, you might even hear the faint sound of a young Lennox rehearsing lines to himself or perhaps arguing with an imaginary cast who weren’t doing it quite the way he wanted.’

She added that they are fortunate that we have never needed the help of West Cork Rapid Response themselves but they know that many families have relied on their extraordinary volunteer service.

‘They are often the first on scene, bringing critical care when every seconds matter. They are there in the darkest hours offering compassion, guidance and hope. We chose WCRR and the Irish Cancer Society as they are close to our hearts.’

Their GoFundMe page is part of series of events that Gráinne and Herbert are hosting throughout the year and culminates in October when they will take on Everest Base Camp, a symbolic climb of endurance, gratitude and hope.

‘Crabbed Youth and Age’ revolves around Mrs Swan, an attractive widow with three young and eligible daughters, who flirts shamelessly with three make suitors who come to visit. Her daughters decide that something needs to be done to stop their mother from directing all the male attention to herself.

Lar McCarthy is directing the play and the cast includes Gráinne herself, Nicola Morry, Rebecca McGill, Jim Lawton and many others.

Performances will take place at 7.30pm on both Thursday April 23rd Friday April 24th at Ballymoney House with doors closing at 7.15pm. Donations in lieu of buying tickets are being encouraged.

For more details contact Gráinne at 086-4147979 for more details and see ‘West Cork Hearts’ on GoFundMe.