The Thing About December

An original adaptation of Donal Ryan’s acclaimed novel Adapted by Jarlath Tivnan in collaboration with Andrew Flynn

Rural Tipperary at the turn of the 21st century. Johnsey Cunliffe, a simple, naïve only-child in his twenties, grieves the death of his much-loved father. Harassed by local bullies and excluded by his peers, Johnsey’s isolation worsens when his inherited farm is re-zoned and becomes valuable. The clouds gather as locals try to tempt Johnsey into giving up his family’s land, while Johnsey, the unlikeliest of heroes, must try to hold onto those things dearest to him.

Tense and complex, the play captures the loneliness of the outcast, the pain of being an orphan at any age, and the terrible consequences of parochial greed.

CAST: Patricia Bohan, Tara Finn, Maeve Fitzgerald, Ruairi Heading as Johnsey, Ann Marie Horan, Ger Howard, Frankie McCafferty, Mary McHugh, John Olohan, Patrick Ryan, Peter Shine and Jarlath Tivnan.

Supported by the Arts Council


The Thing About December is very precious to me and I’m glad it’s in the hands of Andrew and Jarlath and Decadent Theatre Company, theatre-makers with a stellar record of bringing stories to life onstage with empathy, passion and verve.”

Donal Ryan

The Thing About December Gallery

The Thing About December Cast

Maeve Fitzgerald Actor Actress Headshot
Maeve Fitzgerald
Ruairí Heading
Ruairí Heading
Frankie McCafferty
Frankie McCafferty
John Olohan
John Olohan
Patrick Ryan
Patrick Ryan
Peter Shine
Peter Shine
Jarlath Tivnan
Jarlath Tivnan