John B.

John B. Keane, playwright, poet and fiction writer, was born in Listowel, Co. Kerry in 1928. His first play Sive, a rural tragedy of love and greed, was rejected by the Abbey Theatre but made a sensational impact on its first - amateur - production and has come to be seen as a classic work. In this biography, Smith and Hickey chart the progress of Keane's drama. Includes memories and opinions from friends, family and peers. The highs and lows of Keane's personal life also play their part, and his sometimes controversial opinions on issues of the day. Keane died in his hometown in 2002.