Dan Donovan: An Everyman’s Life

DAN DONOVAN An Everyman’s Life, an oral memoir by Vera Ryan, brings to life a period in Cork of rich creative energy. It is a journey through the early days of the Cork Film Festival, the Choral Festival, the founding of the Southern Theatre group, through the work on Everyman Theatre and the restoration of the Palace Theatre on MacCurtain Street. Vera’s interviews bring readers into Dan’s diverse world as teacher, actor, director, broadcaster, and major player in Cork’s artistic life. He was involved with Presentation College as student, teacher and vice-principal and his vivid memories and poignant story have rich appeal. His recollections of University College Cork during the war, being taught by Daniel Corkery, and encouraged by Aloys Fleischmann are superb. The chapters on acting in and directing the plays of Sean A Tuama and John B. Keane are vital for anyone interested in Irish theatre. Dan’s life story together with evocative photographs help turn back time for a nostalgic portrait of the cultural history of Cork in the twentieth century.