The Great Hunger

Peter Duffy’s powerful theatrical performance of Patrick Kavanagh’s poem ‘The Great Hunger’ has been touring the country for the past year to popular and critical acclaim.



Generally considered to be Patrick Kavanagh’s finest work, its protagonist is bachelor farmer Patrick Maguire who has spent years at his mother’s beck and call. When she finally dies aged 91, he himself is 65 and has missed the boat in terms of finding a wife and having a family of his own, a source of acute sorrow and regret to him. Peter Duffy himself grew up on a small Monaghan farm so has a ready affinity for Kavanagh’s material which informs and shines through his absorbing interpretation of the work.



‘A finely-achieved and compelling production. Its conclusion was greeted with a standing ovation from the appreciative audience and the accolade was fully merited’ Galway Advertiser