Drove to Balnacaraige with Fr. Pat for Mass and Communion. Hung around, read and did no work until after lunch. Fr. Pat, Denis and myself started off for the Cotton Mills, Mount Pleasant, Newcestown, Bandon, whither we were invited to see Fr. O’Flynn’s Shakespearian Company acting ‘Richard III’ in the open. Missed some of the beginning as the road was very bad. It was a really excellent performance considering the disadvantages of the open air, and the inequality of the ground composing [sic] a far too side stage. All the women were splendid, though all young girls, and Buckingham was at the head of the men. Richard was good in figure but had not a king’s dignity, and was typically ‘Corky’. The remarks of the country people were killing, especially about Richard. – ‘Anam in diabhal air, there he’s off now for more divilment’; and when Richard during his nightmare was proclaiming his woes, somebody shouted: ‘Tis a pity about ye!’ Fr. O’Flynn and his Society are ever coming out stronger. Had tea with the whole troupe, we met the MacDonnells, drove to Castlelack, had more tea, interesting conversation. Mr. Kinley, manager, was frightened by a ghost so I heard. Drove home – the end of a perfect day.
