APRIL 2008

Murder Play

A tragedy which happened at Dunmore House in Carrigans 70 years ago, has become the subject of a new play. Playwright Stan McGowan, who has bought the story to the stage,said he was hunted by the tale since he come across it in a local newspaper five years ago. Stan said he was sitting in a cafe in the Richmond centre in Derry when he stumbled across the piece and it just wouldn't leave him alone.

Dummore House was dubbed ' a house of death' after a mother shot her son and then herself on the eve of his wedding. This news was too much for his fiancée to bear and she shot herself beside his body a short time later. The story caused national outcry at the time.

Stan then undertook a year and a half of in-depth research, which included looking at newspaper clippings from the time and visiting the house where the tragedy occurred. "Derry historian Ken McCormack, who had met a nurse who worked in the house during the shootings, also helped me greatly," he said.

The central character in the story, William McClintock, was paralysed in a horrific horseracing incident, but despite his injuries he was determined to marry his fiancée, London society beauty Helen Mackworth.

The Tragedy at Dunkeer House runs from Wednesday, 16th April to Saturday 19th April at 8pm at the Playhouse in Derry. Tickets are £10/7. Opening night offer, buy one get one free.

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