Margaretta D'Arcy facts for kids

Margaretta Ruth D'Arcy (born 14 June 1934) is an Irish actress, writer, and activist. An activist is someone who works hard to bring about political or social change.

She is a member of Aosdána, a special group that honors Irish artists for their work. In her plays and books, D'Arcy often writes about important topics like Irish nationalism, civil liberties (people's rights and freedoms), and women's rights.

She is well-known for her strong beliefs. In 2014, she was sent to prison for protesting on an airport runway. She was against the use of Shannon Airport by the United States military.

Early Life and Career

Margaretta D'Arcy was born in London. Her mother was Russian-Jewish and her father was Irish-Catholic. She began working in small theaters in Dublin when she was only fifteen.

In 1957, she married the English writer John Arden. They often worked together on plays. The couple moved to Galway, Ireland, and started the Galway Theatre Workshop in 1976. They had five sons.

Together, D'Arcy and Arden wrote many plays, including The Happy Haven and The Workhouse Donkey. D'Arcy also wrote and produced many of her own plays and books. Some of her books are Tell Them Everything and Galway's Pirate Women: A Global Trawl.

Work as an Activist

D'Arcy has been an activist for most of her life. She believes in standing up for what she thinks is right, even if it means getting into trouble.

Peace and Anti-Nuclear Protests

In 1961, she joined a group called the Committee of 100, which was against nuclear weapons. In 1981, she was sent to Armagh Jail in Northern Ireland. This happened after she painted on a wall at the Ulster Museum to protest. Her book, Tell Them Everything, is about her time in prison.

D'Arcy also directed a film called Yellow Gate Women. It tells the story of women who protested at the RAF Greenham Common military base in England. They were trying to stop the military from keeping nuclear weapons there.

Shannon Airport Protests

D'Arcy strongly opposed the use of Shannon Airport in Ireland by the U.S. military. She believed it went against Ireland's neutral position.

In 2012, she and another activist were arrested for climbing the fence at the airport. She was given a suspended sentence, which is like a warning. However, she was sent to prison in 2014 because she refused to promise she would not protest at the airport again. She was released after about ten weeks.

Memberships

• Member of Aosdána since it was created.
• Member of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC).
• Leader in AMARC's Women's International Network (WIN).

Selected Works

D'Arcy has written and directed many creative works throughout her life. Here are a few examples.

Plays

• The Pinprick of History
• Vandaleur's Folly
• The Non-Stop Connolly Show (with John Arden)
• The Island of the Mighty (with John Arden)
• Whose is the Kingdom? (a 9-part radio play with John Arden)

Films

• Yellow Gate Women (2007)
• Shell Hell (2005)
• Big Plane, Small Axe (2005)

See also

• List of peace activists