A Tale of Old Ireland re-told and dramatised for broadcasting.
This play is founded on an Ulster ghost story which has a number of peculiar features. The Lady Nicola Beresford, wife of Sir Tristram Beresford, had a deep understanding with her brother, John Poer, Lord Tyrone. After his death he appeared to her and prophesied her husband's death and her own. As proof that his appearance was not merely a dream, he touched her wrist and left on it the mark of his fingers.
A portrait of Lady Nicola that hangs in an art gallery in Rome, shows distinctly the black velvet band which the lady wore on her wrist to hide the disfiguring mark. Her own death came about as prophesied, also that of her husband. Lady Nicola is buried in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, and her second husband, General Gorges, who was a friend of Dean Swift, has testified to the truth of the story.
A writing table, also supposed to bear the mark by the ghost, is in the possession of the Clanwilliam family, and Gillhall still stands. In dramatising the story Patrick Riddell, part author of the radio adaptation of The Three Musketeers, has kept strictly to the facts as they are told to this day in the Province.

A TALE OF OLD IRELAND retold and dramatised for broadcasting by PATRICK RIDDELL
Characters:
Lady Betty Cobbe, niece to Lady Nicola Lady Nicola Gorges, nee Hamilton Archbishop King, friend to Lady Nicola Lady Makgill, sister to Sir Tristram Beresford General Richard Gorges, second husband to Lady Nicola Reverend Robert Gorges, father to General Gorges, Marcus Beresford, son to Lady Nicola Jane Beresford, daughter to Lady Nicola Sir Tristram Beresford, first husband to Lady Nicola Patrick, a servant to the Beresfords John Poer, Lord Tyrone Guests, Servants, etc.
The action of the play covers the period 1693-1713

The cast includes: Betty Forrester, Hilda Johnston, Philip Tillard, Charlotte Tedlie, Bryan Cullen, James Stewart, Mervyn Stanley, Mary Black, Stanley Minnis, C. K. Ayre, A.S.G. Loxton, Mimi Mageean, and Tina Bonifacio.
Produced by Lance Sieveking

TO BE BROADCAST TONIGHT AT 7.45