Abstract
Since its opening at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 1997, Conor McPherson's play The Weir has been widely regarded as a masterpiece of Irish storytelling and realistic dramatic portraiture. The play's setting in a rural Irish pub bears many connotations that condition the narrative action of the drama.
The presence of an urban young woman in this traditionally male space sets in motion a sequence of stories linked to experiences of the supernatural, the inexplicable and, most importantly, loss. While McPherson crafts an intimate portrait of ordinary characters in a highly traditional dramatic structure, The Weir raises questions about the unknown, the nature of storytelling, and authenticity in subtle ways.