April 2, 1902

W. B. Yeats’ and Lady Gregory’s play Cathleen ni Houlihan premiered on this day in 1902 at St. Theresa’s on Clarendon Street in Dublin. Starring Maud Gonne in the title role, which represents a free and separate Ireland, the play promoted highly nationalistic sentiments and received a good reception. Once Yeats and Gregory had founded the National Theater at The Abbey, the play was frequently revived, running in both 1904 and 1905.