First look of RTE icon's son as gangster Gerry Hutch in his one-man stage show after seal of approval from ‘The Monk'
3
Rex Ryan is playing Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch in a new stage show
3
Rex had extensive meetings with Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch over the production
Credit: Sam Boal/PA Wire
Rex has revealed he had extensive meetings with the underworld figure about the production, even visiting his Glass Mask
However, his Glass Mask Theatre are now billing the play as 'a work of historical fiction by Rex Ryan'.
A show insider told
It was an early start last night with punters asked to arrive at 6pm at the Glass Mask Theatre with the curtain going up at 7pm.
READ MORE ON SHOWBIZ
Actor and director Rex revealed earlier this month how he corrected his script after meetings with Hutch.
Rex said: 'I had written that his father was a mechanic.
"He said he was a docker. I got some names wrong and he corrected them.'
Thursday is the official opening night for The Monk with the Ryan family expected to attend.
Most read in the Irish Sun
Meanwhile, an
They said: "Gerry was consulted on the show. He had a look at an early draft and trusts Rex to get it right."
'LAW UNTO HIMSELF'
A previous description of the show read: "Rex Ryan writes and stars in a one man show about the life and times of 'The Monk', Gerry Hutch.
"Gerard Hutch is a law unto himself. An ambiguous, mercurial and now, mythic figure of Irish modern history.
"'I done lotsa crimes. Some of them I got caught. Some I got away with.'"
It added: "Centred around the trial at the special criminal court, join us in Glass Mask as we witness Gerry bear witness to a lifetime of alleged crimes, triumphs and misdemeanours."
3
The play is directed by Rex Ryan
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
10 of the best independent bookshops in Ireland
With the rise of virtual stores, mobile-friendly subscriptions and Kindles, these stalwarts maintain that the proof is in the pages. Ireland, for both tourists and locals alike, is something of a Book World. And despite the difficulties one might associate with trying to get people to read––attention spans chief among them––Irish people still love books; choosing them, buying them and reading them. Mercifully, we're at no loss for finding places where all of those things can be done at once. The vast majority of the best bookshops in this country are run by people who also love books. Which is to say that despite bigger book chains' discount prices and huge inventories, Ireland still shines with independents. Lucky enough to have one within walking distance? Consider it your duty to use it, or lose it. Here is a nationwide selection of Ireland's best indies. If we've missed your favourite, do get in touch... Books at One Where? 5 Ellis Workshops, Letterfrack, Connemara, Co Galway (also Louisburgh, Co Mayo) An indie bookshop and social enterprise supporting local artists and authors, Books at One allows the customer to consume excellent coffee and cake while perusing the latest titles, gifts and cards. With cosy indoor seating and a sunny garden-patio, Books at One is perhaps what the term "hidden gem" was made for. Located in a former Quaker workshop behind a Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (now a constituent of Atlantic Technological University) campus, Books at One's Letterfrack location is at the scenic base of the trail leading to Connemara National Park and Diamond Hill. Consider a stroll, if only to work up your appetite. Tertulia Where? 2 The Harbour Mill, The Quay, Westport, Co Mayo As described by the motto daubed onto the shop's walls, Tertulia is "a bookshop like no other," and is named for the act of gathering to discuss literature, arts or current affairs. Focused on community and fostering artistic spaces, Tertulia is a space to relax, listen to some vinyl and discuss films and books (most preferably in the cosy reading nook under the stairs). No Alibis Where? 83 Botanic Avenue, Belfast, Co Antrim No Alibis is a bookshop that is more than the sum of its parts. Though it specialises in crime fiction and American studies publications, its shelves are teeming with all genres, with the possibility of tea being offered at any stage of your perusal. Resplendent with coffee and a reading area, this hidden gem is just a minute's walk from Botanic station. Halfway Up The Stairs Where? La Touche Place, Greystones, Co Wicklow Named for the A.A. Milne poem "Halfway Down" featured in his classic When We Were Very Young, Halfway Up The Stairs is the kind of bookshop any book lover would dream of bringing a little one to. An award-winning children's bookshop with competitive prices, knowledgeable staff and a cosy vibe. Gutter Bookshop Where? Cow's Lane, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 (and 20 Railway Road Dalkey) Continuing with the trend of literary shop names––"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars" appears in Oscar Wilde's play, Lady Windermere's Fan ––Gutter Bookshop is proof that despite economic challenges, physical books will prevail. Opened in the downturn of 2009, Bob Johnston's entire business plan was centred around people's tendency to buy physical books if buying them was part of the pleasure of reading them. We're delighted to say he was exactly right. Charlie Byrne's Where? The Cornstore, Middle St, Galway Charlie Byrne's is one of the best-loved and most famous independent bookshops in Ireland, not to mention a Galway institution. Located in the heart of the city, it stocks over 70,000 pre-loved, new and bargain books on every imaginable subject. As per a recent TripAdvisor review: "I simply could not live in Galway without Charlie Byrne's. It's a labyrinth of bookworm delights, staffed by infinitely patient elves always happy to listen to our ramblings about books." Universal Books Where? Church Lane, Letterkenny, Co Donegal Universal Books sells a myriad; books, records, musical instruments, antiques and various other items, all at exceptionally good deals. Run by David Faughnan since 1996, the shop boasts the kind of genuine quirkiness that tourists dream of. Few stores like this exist anymore, fewer still with Faughnan's eye. The Celtic Bookshop Where? Rutland Street, Prior's Land, Limerick The Celtic Bookshop is a labour of love, curated over decades. Holding volumes on just about every topic you can imagine related to Ireland and other Celtic lands, it specialises in both new and out-of-print books, maps and prints. Located directly across from the Hunt Museum, this is a treasure trove you won't find elsewhere. Little Acorns Books Where? 3-5 Society Street, Derry The largest independent bookstore in the north west of Ireland, Little Acorns holds Irish fiction titles of all genres, as well as both new and used books. Owner Jenni Doherty founded it 15 years ago when all she had was a book stall and a dream. Today, she boasts 60,000 books in a three-storey building. A gem specialising in secondhand and some antiquarian books - and winner of Bookshop Of The Year at the 2025 An Post Irish Book Awards. "We're part of the fabric of their lives..." Congrats to @LittleAcornsBks for winning @Postvox Bookshop of the Year! Watch Jenni's acceptance as she highlights the importance of indie bookshops in our communities. #APIBA #StoriesMakeUs — An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) January 7, 2025 21 Lavitts Quay, Cork Cork's oldest independent and family-run bookshop, Vibes and Scribes, has been making literary dreams come true for over 30 years now. And as Cork's last remaining independent bookstore, consider this your sign to visit. Artsy, family-run and full of both old and new, this is a space a little different to the rest. And as a regular stop-off for touring authors, you might even spot your favourite while browsing.
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘We want to hear this record so badly' – Sinead O'Connor fans in album plea as global fans jet in for star's anniversary
SINEAD O'Connor fans who have gathered in Ireland for her second anniversary have called for the release of a posthumous album she recorded before her death. Today marks the second anniversary of the passing of the iconic singer's death with fans jetting in from around the world to mark the day in a series of events in Sinead's former home of Advertisement 5 Sinead O'Connor fans are pleading for the release of a posthumous album she recorded before her death. Credit: Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience 5 Sinead O'Connor died in London aged 56 in July 2023 Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 Australian Leigh Peries spent €2,796 to travel to Bray Leigh Peries, who runs Sinead O'Connor Facebook group with over 50,000 members, told how she made the trip from her home in Brisbane, The registered nurse was joined in Bray by other fans who had travelled from the And many of the fans are calling for the release of her final Leigh told The Irish Sun: 'There are so many Advertisement READ MORE IN SINEAD O'CONNOR 'A posthumous album from Sinead would gain massive momentum, and shine a light on her life and other works. We want to hear this record so badly.' The group gathered outside the Irish Rock 'n' Roll Museum in Sinead's image was projected onto the Wall Of Fame outside and fans lapped up displays showing dresses and stage gear worn by Sinead and garments during her career. While the Nothing Compares 2 U singer is well represented at the museum, the visiting Sinead devotees admit they are disappointed at the lack of a statue or memorial to Sinead in her home city. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Leigh said: 'We saw two huge murals of All roads lead to Bray today on Sinead's second anniversary where they will gather outside the singer's former seaside home Montebello at 11am. Sinead O'Connor's exact cause of death is revealed While at 6pm tonight, the international visitors, many of whom met on the Sinead O'Connor Australian Leigh, who is the administrator of the Sinead Advertisement 'LOVED IT SO MUCH' Leigh said: 'We met a young lad whose mum was given a single bed by Sinead, and he grew up sleeping in Sinead's bed. 'He loved it so much, when he left home he took it with him. It's probably a very valuable piece now. 'We met another lady who had worked as a nanny to Sinead's 'There are so many people with Sinead stories in Bray and we love hearing them'. Advertisement The Sinead fans, who describe themselves as "avid followers', plan to ending their Sinead pilgrimage by attending a show by US comedian 'AVID FOLLOWERS' Leigh said: 'We see Rosie as sharing many of Sinead's values.' Mum of two Leigh, spent five thousand Australian dollars (€2,796) on flights, jetting from her home in Brisbane, Leigh said: 'I'm the same age as Sinead and her ten albums represent different parts of my life. Advertisement 'I wasn't able to attend Sinead's funeral so I want to be here for her anniversary. It's wonderful to be able to come to Bray where she lived and meet other Sinead followers who feel the same. 'MORE THAN A SINGER' "Sinead was more than a singer to us. Her values, her honesty and everything she stood for is what draws us in. We aren't fans, that sounds too commercial, we are avid followers. "We celebrate Sinead, not just her music but her spirit and her consistency generosity. We are in love with that persona, and there not many people out there like Sinead.' Irish music icon Sinead O'Connor was found 'unresponsive' at a flat in south-east Advertisement An autopsy later confirmed she died of natural causes. 5 Sinead O'Connor fans at Temple Bar Wall of Fame Credit: Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience 5 Fans of Sinead will gather outside her house for the singer's second anniversary Credit: Getty Images - Getty
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
How are fan projects changing the concert experience?
Picture this... you arrive at the concert you have been waiting months for. Your tickets are safely secured on your phone, you're dressed to the nines, and you're ready for a boogie. Then, in the queue, someone approaches you with a coloured piece of paper and a set of instructions. You are about to become part of a fan project. Fan projects are fan-led initiatives to create a memorable moment at a show or to communicate a message to the artist onstage. A common fan project is to light up your phone in a certain colour for a particular song, or for everyone to pull out a poster that bears the same sentence, usually some kind of pun or reference to a moment in the artist's set. For project organisers, it is a way to show their favourite artist how much they love and appreciate them. Ahead of Billie Eilish's concerts at the 3Arena in Dublin this weekend, one fan has been working for months on her fan project. 17-year-old Katie Gorman from Co Laois is aiming to get hundreds of people to light up the seating section in the colours of the Irish flag. She hopes to turn the standing section blue, in reference to the cover of the headliner's album, 'Hit Me Hard and Soft.' She has been working on the idea since May of last year. She hopes that the American singer will react as "It would make the whole thing feel like it was worth it, and it's taken a lot of work and even money." Katie has taken inspiration for her fan project from a similar effort for a different artist earlier this year. 15-year-old Ruby Campbell, from Co Dublin, planned the Gracie Abrams fan project for her concert in Dublin in March. "The fan project consisted of green, white and orange lights going across the seats to represent the Irish flag and pink hearts in the pit to represent our love for Gracie and the EU tour dates which were pink during the song 'Normal Things'." More than 90 people were involved in Ruby's fan project. She knew some of them in person, but the majority were recruited using social media. To keep things efficient, there was a google doc form where people gave their section, how much paper they'd be able to cut, and what time they'd get there to help hand out paper on the day. But the huge effort paid off. Gracie Abrams noticed the project and even took home one of the pink hearts used to light up the standing section. "For me, this was an out of body experience, I was shaking so hard, it felt like all my hard work had paid off," Ruby explained. Ruby was inspired to do a fan project by Kamila Zietek, who has organised three successful fan projects for Olivia Rodrigo concerts. For the US star's most recent concert in Marlay Park, Kamila spent months in her home in Galway organising for the crowd to hold up a sign saying, "We Care, We Care, We Care", an ode to the song 'Lacy' which lyrics' say "I care, I care, I care" "I knew I wanted to do more than just show up. I wanted to show her how much I appreciate her, her music, and the impact she made on my life," Kamila said. Rodrigo noticed the fan project during her performance of 'enough for you.' "Tonight was so much fun, and you guys are so wonderful, and you made all these signs," she told the delighted crowd. Katie, Ruby and Kamila have all become friends through working on these fan projects. There are multiple group chats filled with people they've met through the project, and they keep each other up to date on their lives and make plans to hang out in person. In Kamila's case, she didn't have anyone to go with to the Olivia Rodrigo concert in Marlay Park, so she sent a message into the group chat from the last fan project asking if anyone was going, and someone reached out and they went to the concert together. So, if you are going to either one of the Billie Eilish concerts this weekend, keep an eye out for the fan project and get involved.
