Big Maggie

John B. Keane, one of Ireland's most prolific and respected literary figures, was born in 1928 in Listowel, Co. Kerry, and it was there that he spent his literary career, running a pub which provided him with inspiration for his characters and stories. His first play, 'Sive', was presented by the Listowel Drama Group and won the All-Ireland Drama Festival in 1959. A writer of essays, short stories and letters, his humorous words live on in the 'Celebrated Letters of John B. Keane', "The Best of John B. Keane' and 'The Short Stories of John B. Keane'. John B. Keane died on 30 May 2002 but remains one of Mercier's best-loved and best-selling authors. Eilis Flanagan has ten years experience as a secondary teacher and now works in teacher training with NUI Galway and the University of Limerick. Originally from Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal, she now lives in Galway.

Big Maggie 'J. B. Keane's most outspoken play' The Irish Press 'Keane ... has brought the tyranny, the desperation and the frustration of the rural Irish matriarch roaring into the top twenties' 'A fullblooded, salty, earthy play with a great ring of truth and uproarious with comedy' The Irish Times 'His depth of perception reveals a mature Keane' Cork Examiner