On Baile's Strand

Exploring the internal conflict between art and life, this short play features the legendary Irish hero Cuchulain facing a dire threat from the Scottish warrior queen Aoife. As Cuchulain, loyal to King Conchubar, prepares for battle against her son, the narrative unfolds with tension and tragedy. First performed at the Abbey Theatre in 1904, this work is the earliest of five plays by Yeats centered on Cuchulain and stands out as one of the most poignant pieces in Irish literature, culminating in a heart-wrenching conclusion.