Local actor in Ledwidge drama this week

The Slane poet and nationalist, Francis Ledwidge, is oft regarded as Ireland’s greatest war poet. Garlow Cross actor, Ian Meehan, plays the role of the aristocrat and renowned literary figure, Lord Dunsany, who recognises the poet’s genius and becomes his patron, in a performance of 'Ledwidge' at Solstice Arts Centre on Thursday 6th April at 8pm.
The war poet Francis Ledwidge (Ethan Dillon) is torn between his love for Shivvie (Katie O'Kelly) his friend and confidante, and Ellie (Amy O'Dwyer). In spite of their fears he enlists in Captain Dunsany's regiment and is dispatched to Suvla Bay. Excelling as a sniper, Ledwidge distinguished himself at Gallipoli but the poet remained conflicted. Gerard Humphreys’ play explores the poet’s personal struggles with war and his early life as a trade union activist in a class ridden society on the eve of revolution.
Ian Meehan says: “The way the play is written feels very familiar to me. It feels like being in Navan and that whole area. There’s a very specific sort of tonality to it that I really think the play captures.” This is the actor’s first time to perform at Solstice Arts Centre. He was 17 years old when he left to go to college to study engineering.
“Solstice Arts Centre wasn’t there when I was growing up, so it’s great to go back home and to perform in Solstice in my native Meath”
Ledwidge celebrates one hundred years since the poet's death and the twenty years of presenting new writing by The New Theatre Dublin.