Wesley Burrowes
Encyclopedia
Wesley Burrowes is an Irish
playwright
and screenwriter
. Originally from Northern Ireland
, he is now a resident of the Republic of Ireland
. He is best known as the chief scriptwriter on two of the most successful drama series produced by RTÉ
Television, The Riordans
and Glenroe
.
in Northern Ireland
. From a Protestant background, Burrowes was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution
, a Belfast
grammar school
commonly known as "Inst". He went on to study French and German at Queen's University Belfast, graduating in 1952.
Following graduation, Burrowes moved to Dublin to work for the Commercial Insurance Company. In 1959, he switched jobs to Córas Tráchtála, an Irish government body which promoted exports. He combined his job there as an adviser on the furniture trade with that of writer of comedy sketches for revue
performers such as Des Keogh
and Rosaleen Linehan
. In 1963, he resigned from his day job to become a fulltime writer.
in September 1963 during the Sixth Annual Dublin Theatre Festival
. Regarded at the time as a lavish production, Carrie was directed by Peter Collinson
, and starred Milo O'Shea
, Ray McAnally
, and David Kelly
.
In 1969, Burrowes won the Irish Life
Drama Competition for his play, The Becauseway, which the author described as belonging to "the tradition of the theatre of the absurd". A revised version of the play received its premiere at the Peacock Theatre four months later. Burrowes was again successful in the 1970 Irish Life Competition, winning the top award for And All the People Rejoiced. Under its new title, A Loud Bang on June the First, the play received its first production at the Abbey Theatre
in February 1971.
Due to his television commitments, only one other full-length Burrowes play reached the theatrical stage. This was Affluence, a comedy first produced by the Irish Theatre Company in August 1980.
Television's drama series, Tolka Row
. Two years later he became editor and chief script writer for the station's long-running rural soap opera
, The Riordans
. Between 1966 and 1979, when The Riordans ended its run, Burrowes wrote over 300 of the weekly scripts and edited most of those produced by the other writers.
In 1983, Burrowes created another success for RTÉ in the form of the drama serial Glenroe
. He became one of three writers who contributed scripts during the series' eighteen-year run. Burrowes ensured his scripts were authentic by meeting farmers regularly in pubs and listening to their opinions and insights. Glenroe developed out of an earlier series which Burrowes conceived and wrote for RTÉ in 1980. This was Bracken
, which featured Gabriel Byrne
in the lead role of Pat Barry.
Burrowes' contribution to television drama was recognised by the three Jacob's Awards
he won in 1965, 1974, and 1976. The last two of these were specifically for his work on The Riordans.
received its world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh. This was Burrowes first screenplay, a surrealist comedy set in working-class Dublin. His second film as scriptwriter, Mystics, was released in 2003.
, Co. Wicklow.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
playwright
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
and screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
. Originally from Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, he is now a resident of the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. He is best known as the chief scriptwriter on two of the most successful drama series produced by RTÉ
RTÉ One
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann , and it is the most popular and most watched television channel in Ireland. It was launched as Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961, it was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ...
Television, The Riordans
The Riordans
The Riordans was the second Irish soap opera made by Raidio Telefís Éireann . It ran from 1965 to 1979 and was set in the fictional townland of Leestown in County Kilkenny...
and Glenroe
Glenroe
Glenroe was an Irish television drama series broadcast between September 1983 and May 2001 on RTÉ One. The programme was a spin-off from Bracken, a short-lived RTÉ drama itself spun off from The Riordans. Glenroe was broadcast on Sunday nights at 20.30, generally from September to May. The show was...
.
Early life
Wesley Burrowes was born and raised in Bangor, County DownBangor, County Down
Bangor is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a seaside resort on the southern side of Belfast Lough and within the Belfast Metropolitan Area. Bangor Marina is one of the largest in Ireland, and holds Blue Flag status...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. From a Protestant background, Burrowes was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution
Royal Belfast Academical Institution
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution, is a Grammar School in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Locally referred to as Inst, the school educates boys from ages 11–18...
, a Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
grammar school
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
commonly known as "Inst". He went on to study French and German at Queen's University Belfast, graduating in 1952.
Following graduation, Burrowes moved to Dublin to work for the Commercial Insurance Company. In 1959, he switched jobs to Córas Tráchtála, an Irish government body which promoted exports. He combined his job there as an adviser on the furniture trade with that of writer of comedy sketches for revue
Revue
A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century American popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own during its golden years from 1916 to 1932...
performers such as Des Keogh
Des Keogh
Des Keogh is an Irish actor. He was born in 1935 in Birr, County Offaly. He was trained as a lawyer before entering the theatre in his 20s.He has toured widely in a one-man show called The Love-Hungry Farmer, an adaptation by Keogh from a work by the Irish playwright John B. Keane...
and Rosaleen Linehan
Rosaleen Linehan
Rosaleen Linehan is an Irish stage, screen and television actress.She has appeared in many comedy revues written by her husband Fergus...
. In 1963, he resigned from his day job to become a fulltime writer.
Theatre
Burrowes' first theatrical success was the musical Carrie, which he co-wrote with Michael Coffey and James Douglas. It was premiered at the Olympia Theatre, DublinOlympia Theatre, Dublin
The Olympia Theatre is a concert hall/theatre venue in Dublin, Ireland, located in Dame Street.-History:Built in 1879, it was originally called the "Star of Erin Music Hall". Two years later in 1881, it was renamed "Dan Lowrey's Music Hall" and was renamed again in 1889 to "Dan Lowrey's Palace of...
in September 1963 during the Sixth Annual Dublin Theatre Festival
Dublin Theatre Festival
The Dublin Theatre Festival is Europe's oldest specialized theatre festival. It was founded by theatre impresario Brendan Smith in 1957 and has, with the exception of two years, produced a season of international and Irish theatre each autumn. It is one of a number of key post-World War II events...
. Regarded at the time as a lavish production, Carrie was directed by Peter Collinson
Peter Collinson (film director)
Peter Collinson was a British film director probably best known for directing the 1969 movie The Italian Job.- Early life :...
, and starred Milo O'Shea
Milo O'Shea
-Early life:He was born and raised in Dublin and educated by the Christian Brothers at Synge Street, along with his friend Donal Donnelly.He was discovered in the 1950s by Harry Dillon, who ran the "37 Theatre Club" on the top floor of his shop The Swiss Gem Company, 51 Lower O'Connell Street...
, Ray McAnally
Ray McAnally
Ray McAnally was an Irish actor famous for his performances in films such as The Mission, My Left Foot, and A Very British Coup.-Background:...
, and David Kelly
David Kelly (actor)
David Kelly is an Irish actor, who has been in regular film and television work since the 1950s.-Acting career:Playing everything from Beckett to Shakespeare, he has appeared in Theatre, TV and film constantly since 1959...
.
In 1969, Burrowes won the Irish Life
Irish Life and Permanent
Irish Life and Permanent, Plc or IL&P is a provider of personal financial services in Ireland. IL&P enjoys limited liability....
Drama Competition for his play, The Becauseway, which the author described as belonging to "the tradition of the theatre of the absurd". A revised version of the play received its premiere at the Peacock Theatre four months later. Burrowes was again successful in the 1970 Irish Life Competition, winning the top award for And All the People Rejoiced. Under its new title, A Loud Bang on June the First, the play received its first production at the Abbey Theatre
Abbey Theatre
The Abbey Theatre , also known as the National Theatre of Ireland , is a theatre located in Dublin, Ireland. The Abbey first opened its doors to the public on 27 December 1904. Despite losing its original building to a fire in 1951, it has remained active to the present day...
in February 1971.
Due to his television commitments, only one other full-length Burrowes play reached the theatrical stage. This was Affluence, a comedy first produced by the Irish Theatre Company in August 1980.
Television
In 1964, Burrowes' got his first break in television when he replaced Maura Laverty as script writer on RTÉRTÉ One
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann , and it is the most popular and most watched television channel in Ireland. It was launched as Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961, it was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ...
Television's drama series, Tolka Row
Tolka Row
Tolka Row was an Irish soap opera set in a fictional housing estate on the northside of Dublin. Based on Maura Laverty's 1951 play of the same name, the show was set around the trials and tribulations of the Nolan family...
. Two years later he became editor and chief script writer for the station's long-running rural soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
, The Riordans
The Riordans
The Riordans was the second Irish soap opera made by Raidio Telefís Éireann . It ran from 1965 to 1979 and was set in the fictional townland of Leestown in County Kilkenny...
. Between 1966 and 1979, when The Riordans ended its run, Burrowes wrote over 300 of the weekly scripts and edited most of those produced by the other writers.
In 1983, Burrowes created another success for RTÉ in the form of the drama serial Glenroe
Glenroe
Glenroe was an Irish television drama series broadcast between September 1983 and May 2001 on RTÉ One. The programme was a spin-off from Bracken, a short-lived RTÉ drama itself spun off from The Riordans. Glenroe was broadcast on Sunday nights at 20.30, generally from September to May. The show was...
. He became one of three writers who contributed scripts during the series' eighteen-year run. Burrowes ensured his scripts were authentic by meeting farmers regularly in pubs and listening to their opinions and insights. Glenroe developed out of an earlier series which Burrowes conceived and wrote for RTÉ in 1980. This was Bracken
Bracken (TV series)
Bracken was an Irish television soap opera broadcast from 1978 to 1982 on RTÉ One in Ireland. It mainly centred about rural life in and around County Wicklow in the Republic of Ireland. The main stars of the show were Gabriel Byrne and Niall Tóibín...
, which featured Gabriel Byrne
Gabriel Byrne
Gabriel James Byrne is an Irish actor, film director, film producer, writer, cultural ambassador and audiobook narrator. His acting career began in the Focus Theatre before he joined Londo's Royal Court Theatre in 1979. Byrne's screen debut came in the Irish soap opera The Riordans and the...
in the lead role of Pat Barry.
Burrowes' contribution to television drama was recognised by the three Jacob's Awards
Jacob's Awards
The Jacob's Awards were instituted in December 1962 as the first Irish television awards. Later, they were expanded to include radio. The awards were named after their sponsor, W. & R. Jacob & Co. Ltd., a biscuit manufacturer, and recipients were selected by Ireland's national newspaper television...
he won in 1965, 1974, and 1976. The last two of these were specifically for his work on The Riordans.
Film
In July 2000, the Wesley Burrowes-scripted film, RatRat (film)
Rat is a 2000 Irish/British/American comedy film directed by Steve Barron. The film focuses on the transformation of a working-class man into a rat and how his family copes with the startling change.-Synopsis:...
received its world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh. This was Burrowes first screenplay, a surrealist comedy set in working-class Dublin. His second film as scriptwriter, Mystics, was released in 2003.
Other pursuits
- Burrowes composed the lyrics of "If I Could ChooseIf I Could Choose"If I Could Choose" was the Irish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1967, performed in English by Sean Dunphy.The song is a ballad, in which Dunphy tells his lover how special she is to him. He explains that, while he currently lives in County Clare, he would willingly live in a desert if it...
", Ireland's entry in the 1967 Eurovision Song ContestEurovision Song Contest 1967The Eurovision Song Contest 1967 was the twelfth Eurovision Song Contest. The presenter became confused whilst the voting was taking place, and declared the United Kingdom's entry to be the winner before the last country, Ireland, had announced its votes...
. The song came second in the contest. - He is a keen bridgeContract bridgeContract bridge, usually known simply as bridge, is a trick-taking card game using a standard deck of 52 playing cards played by four players in two competing partnerships with partners sitting opposite each other around a small table...
player who has represented Ireland at international tournaments.
Personal life
Burrowes married the actress, Liz Brennan in 1959; they divorced in 1967 having had a daughter, Ciara, together. He married his second wife, Helena Ruuth, in 1969 and they have a son, Kim. Burrowes now lives in BrayBray
Bray is a town in north County Wicklow, Ireland. It is a busy urban centre and seaside resort, with a population of 31,901 making it the fourth largest in Ireland as of the 2006 census...
, Co. Wicklow.