George Russel A.E.
Black and White Photograph of George Russell, poet, writer, artist, mystic and theosophist.Financial Organiser of I.A.O.C. © Sligo County Library
George Russel A.E.
Black and White Photograph of George Russell, poet, writer, artist, mystic and theosophist.Financial Organiser of I.A.O.C. © Sligo County Library
In 1902 George Russel had his play 'Deirdre' produced by the Irish Literary Theatre, what was to go on to become the Abbey Theatre, which he helped to found. The female actors of this play came from the women's nationalist organisation - Inghinidhe na hEireann or the Daughters of Eireann an organisation in which Maud Gonne was instrumental. A.E. was interested many artistic and political pursuits. He became deeply involved in the cooperative movement and edited their newsletter the Irish Homestead. In the 1920s he edited the Irish Statesman and his home became a discussion centre for many artistic and political activists of the time. He was also very interested in the revival of Ireland mythological texts, and his poetic play 'Deirdre' details the mythological story of the most beautiful women in Ulster, Deirdre of the Sorrows.