Maureen Charlton facts for kids

Maureen Charlton (born Mary Farrell) was an Irish writer. She was known for writing plays and poems. She also worked as a broadcaster on radio. She lived from September 14, 1930, to August 10, 2007.

Early Life and Education

Maureen Charlton was born in Dublin, Ireland, on September 14, 1930. She was one of three daughters. Her parents were Edward and Bridget Farrell. She grew up in Mount Merrion.

Maureen went to Loreto College, St Stephen's Green. Later, she studied arts at University College Dublin (UCD). Her younger sister, Nuala, also studied there. Both sisters were very active in the UCD Dramatic Society.

Her Writing Career

Maureen Charlton became a successful writer. Her first play was called Nora Barnacle. It was performed at UCD in 1957. In 1958, it was shown professionally at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. Famous people like Milo O'Shea and Joe Lynch starred in it.

The play was very popular. Special trains brought people to see it. After a four-week run in Dublin, it went to the Westminster Theatre in London. It was also performed in New York in 1959. The BBC and RTÉ even showed parts of it on TV.

Other Works and Collaborations

On April 18, 1963, Maureen married Hugh Charlton in Rome. He was an art dealer. They had two sons, Julian and Edward. Maureen's sister Nuala married journalist John Mulcahy.

Maureen and Nuala worked together on a musical. It was called Smock Alley. This show was about Dublin theatre in the 1700s. It was performed in 1967 and 1969 and got good reviews.

Maureen wrote several other plays. These included Go where glory waits thee, about the life of Thomas Moore. This play was later made into a film for RTÉ. She also wrote Servants and masters and Denis O'Shaughnessy goes to Maynooth.

Poetry and Publications

Maureen Charlton also wrote short stories and poetry. Her book of poems, Lyrics from 'Nora Barnacle', came out in 1990. These poems were part of a larger work that was performed at the Dublin Theatre Festival in 1980.

She worked as an assistant editor for The Hibernia Magazine from 1964 to 1966. She also started and edited her own magazine called Martello. In 1990, she published Selected fables of La Fontaine. Later, in 1997, she released Duet for two Dubs with Warren O'Connell.

Broadcasting and Cultural Work

Maureen was often heard on Sunday miscellany on RTÉ Radio. She also worked as a theatre critic for the Evening Press newspaper for a short time. She was part of many cultural groups.

She was a member of the Irish Byron Society. She often hosted their summer parties at her home. Maureen also helped save St Catherine's Church in Dublin. She founded the Bell Tower Trust to raise money for its renovation. The church later became an arts center. She was also an active member of the Royal Dublin Society and the Irish Georgian Society.

Later Life

Maureen Charlton passed away on August 10, 2007. She died in Blackrock Clinic, County Dublin.