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Philadelphia, Here I Come!
Fed up with the dreary round of life in Ballybeg, with his uncommunicative father and the humiliating job in his father's grocery shop, with his frustrated love for Kathy Doogan who married a richer, more successful young man and with the total absence of prospect and opportunity in his life at home, Gareth O'Donnell has accepted his aunt's invitation to come to Philadelphia. Now, on the eve of his departure, he is not happy to be leaving Ballybeg.
With this play Brian Friel made his reputation and it is now an acknowledged classic of modern drama.
With this play Brian Friel made his reputation and it is now an acknowledged classic of modern drama.
110 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1964
36 people are currently reading
665 people want to read
About the author
Brian Friel
123 books139 followersBrian Friel is a playwright and, more recently, director of his own works from Ireland who now resides in County Donegal.
Friel was born in Omagh County Tyrone, the son of Patrick "Paddy" Friel, a primary school teacher and later a borough councillor in Derry, and Mary McLoone, postmistress of Glenties, County Donegal (Ulf Dantanus provides the most detail regarding Friel's parents and grandparents, see Books below). He received his education at St. Columb's College in Derry and the seminary at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth (1945-48) from which he received his B.A., then he received his teacher's training at St. Mary's Training College in Belfast, 1949-50. He married Anne Morrison in 1954, with whom he has four daughters and one son; they remain married. From 1950 until 1960, he worked as a Maths teacher in the Derry primary and intermediate school system, until taking leave in 1960 to live off his savings and pursue a career as writer. In 1966, the Friels moved from 13 Malborough Street, Derry to Muff, County Donegal, eventually settling outside Greencastle, County Donegal.
He was appointed to the Irish Senate in 1987 and served through 1989. In 1989, BBC Radio launched a "Brian Friel Season", a series devoted a six-play season to his work, the first living playwright to be so distinguished. In 1999 (April-August), Friel's 70th birthday was celebrated in Dublin with the Friel Festival during which ten of his plays were staged or presented as dramatic readings throughout Dublin; in conjunction with the festival were a conference, National Library exhibition, film screenings, outreach programs, pre-show talks, and the launching of a special issue of The Irish University Review devoted to the playwright; in 1999, he also received a lifetime achievement award from the Irish Times.
On 22 January 2006 Friel was presented with a gold Torc by President Mary McAleese in recognition of the fact that the members of Aosdána have elected him a Saoi. Only five members of Aosdána can hold this honour at any one time and Friel joined fellow Saoithe Louis leBrocquy, Benedict Kiely (d. 2007), Seamus Heaney and Anthony Cronin. On acceptance of the gold Torc, Friel quipped, "I knew that being made a Saoi, really getting this award, is extreme unction; it is a final anointment--Aosdana's last rites."
In November 2008, Queen's University of Belfast announced its intention to build a new theatre complex and research center to be named The Brian Friel Theatre and Centre for Theatre Research.
Friel was born in Omagh County Tyrone, the son of Patrick "Paddy" Friel, a primary school teacher and later a borough councillor in Derry, and Mary McLoone, postmistress of Glenties, County Donegal (Ulf Dantanus provides the most detail regarding Friel's parents and grandparents, see Books below). He received his education at St. Columb's College in Derry and the seminary at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth (1945-48) from which he received his B.A., then he received his teacher's training at St. Mary's Training College in Belfast, 1949-50. He married Anne Morrison in 1954, with whom he has four daughters and one son; they remain married. From 1950 until 1960, he worked as a Maths teacher in the Derry primary and intermediate school system, until taking leave in 1960 to live off his savings and pursue a career as writer. In 1966, the Friels moved from 13 Malborough Street, Derry to Muff, County Donegal, eventually settling outside Greencastle, County Donegal.
He was appointed to the Irish Senate in 1987 and served through 1989. In 1989, BBC Radio launched a "Brian Friel Season", a series devoted a six-play season to his work, the first living playwright to be so distinguished. In 1999 (April-August), Friel's 70th birthday was celebrated in Dublin with the Friel Festival during which ten of his plays were staged or presented as dramatic readings throughout Dublin; in conjunction with the festival were a conference, National Library exhibition, film screenings, outreach programs, pre-show talks, and the launching of a special issue of The Irish University Review devoted to the playwright; in 1999, he also received a lifetime achievement award from the Irish Times.
On 22 January 2006 Friel was presented with a gold Torc by President Mary McAleese in recognition of the fact that the members of Aosdána have elected him a Saoi. Only five members of Aosdána can hold this honour at any one time and Friel joined fellow Saoithe Louis leBrocquy, Benedict Kiely (d. 2007), Seamus Heaney and Anthony Cronin. On acceptance of the gold Torc, Friel quipped, "I knew that being made a Saoi, really getting this award, is extreme unction; it is a final anointment--Aosdana's last rites."
In November 2008, Queen's University of Belfast announced its intention to build a new theatre complex and research center to be named The Brian Friel Theatre and Centre for Theatre Research.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
April 8, 2018
dnf at 50%
i had a hard time getting into this play
it confused me from the beginning with the "public" and "private" characters
i had a hard time getting into this play
it confused me from the beginning with the "public" and "private" characters
February 19, 2013
I'm always hesitant of buying a play. 12 euro for 90 half-filled pages? Dubious. But then an 60-ish man who saw me turning Philadelphia, Here I Come! over in my hands, debating, said "lad, you'll be wanting to get that one. I've seen it performed five times now, and it's just magic. The first thing to read if you want to know about mid-century Ireland." On that recommendation, who could possibly refuse?
Long story short, it was fantastic advice. The Public/Private division never feels like a literary gimmick - on the contrary, it one feels that they have a much more authentic picture of the man, and it contributes to the play's amazing ability to capture such complex, sometimes contradicting feelings in so small a space. The play is funny, it's frustrated, and if the picture it paints isn't perfectly faithful to the atmosphere of mid-century Ireland, well, it sure fooled me. And that awesome 60-ish man, to whom I owe a pint.
Long story short, it was fantastic advice. The Public/Private division never feels like a literary gimmick - on the contrary, it one feels that they have a much more authentic picture of the man, and it contributes to the play's amazing ability to capture such complex, sometimes contradicting feelings in so small a space. The play is funny, it's frustrated, and if the picture it paints isn't perfectly faithful to the atmosphere of mid-century Ireland, well, it sure fooled me. And that awesome 60-ish man, to whom I owe a pint.
November 29, 2022
Yes I’m adding this to my books read this year bc my reading goal is screaming for help and I’m this close to attempting to find Active Maths 4 on this app and adding it to help me out.
November 17, 2022
where’s the plot?
hope gar went to America and was miserable xx
hope gar went to America and was miserable xx
January 12, 2018
A really interesting exploration of the act of leaving home and forging one’s own path. Very Irish, but universal in its human-ness.
The last scenes are genuinely moving to read, and there are a few strong monologues throughout, particularly in the third act. Gar’s relationship with his father is moving, and sadly so.
Also, the breaking of Gar’s character into his public and private sides is an innovative method to reveal the often contradictory feelings about something so complex as leaving home.
A play I could imagine doing scene work from, or an abridged version perhaps.
The last scenes are genuinely moving to read, and there are a few strong monologues throughout, particularly in the third act. Gar’s relationship with his father is moving, and sadly so.
Also, the breaking of Gar’s character into his public and private sides is an innovative method to reveal the often contradictory feelings about something so complex as leaving home.
A play I could imagine doing scene work from, or an abridged version perhaps.
February 20, 2022
Revisited this for the third or fourth time. One of Friel’s best. Friel’s use of the private vs. public Gar is a masterstroke of playwrighting. The central theme of leaving a backward hometown for greater prospects is familiar but handled with the usual humour and pathos.
May 18, 2022
**2.5
madge deserves the world x
(studied for school)
madge deserves the world x
(studied for school)
February 17, 2018
A savage portrayal of a dysfunctional father-son relationship, savage in the sadness of the non-communicativeness of Gar and his father, each as reticent as the other to acknowledge the love between them. Still a lot to be learned from this drama.
February 14, 2023
There was no progression in this play. The only scenes that had any story development were the flashbacks, and there were no actions throughout that changed the outcome in any way.
Read
May 22, 2022gar is annoying and is the cause of all his problems in life. he can change the scenery but not the situation. sorry if this is aggressive, i have to pretend to care about the characters when an essay is thrown my way
July 6, 2022
madge☹️ gar☹️ sb☹️ (kate☹️?)
too sad to do my leaving cert on this soz x
too sad to do my leaving cert on this soz x
December 23, 2023
fight club but set in 60s Donegal
April 21, 2024
(Reread)
November 4, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Making me question if im schizo
Definitely a looking glass into the social uniqueness of what was rural Ireland in the 60s
Making me question if im schizo
Definitely a looking glass into the social uniqueness of what was rural Ireland in the 60s
December 10, 2023
I was so excited to read this book, I really wanted to love it. The premise, theme and devices are nothing short of masterful; unfortunately, the execution is nothing short of abysmal.
I won't go in to detail on why I despise this play. I already did that in my comparative GVV Question in June of this year.
To keep this brief, I will simply say that Friel's writing brings this 'play' all the way down to one star. There is no life, very little world building and the dialogue is as dull as dishwater.
I have read books such as Camus's 'The Stranger' in which I can see the talent and profundity hidden within the text. In spite of this, I simply did not click with it. PHIC is a different kettle of fish in my eyes. There is no evidence of depth, creativity or talent to be found here.
I currently have 'Translations' in my TBR which is widely considered Friel's magnum opus. I live and pray that I have misjudged him and will eat my words having finished this play.
I won't go in to detail on why I despise this play. I already did that in my comparative GVV Question in June of this year.
To keep this brief, I will simply say that Friel's writing brings this 'play' all the way down to one star. There is no life, very little world building and the dialogue is as dull as dishwater.
I have read books such as Camus's 'The Stranger' in which I can see the talent and profundity hidden within the text. In spite of this, I simply did not click with it. PHIC is a different kettle of fish in my eyes. There is no evidence of depth, creativity or talent to be found here.
I currently have 'Translations' in my TBR which is widely considered Friel's magnum opus. I live and pray that I have misjudged him and will eat my words having finished this play.
January 2, 2021
Entertaining Irish drama, that deals with the themes of emigration, life in rural Ireland, father son relationship and wanderlust very well. The main character - Gar O'Donnell - has two on stage characters, Public and Private, the latter of which being Gar's constant stream of consciousness and thinking, who is invisible to all other characters on stage. This is a particularly interesting aspect to the play that makes for some amusing scenes in which Public says and does one thing, while Private says something else, constantly chattering at his ear and agitating him. The play ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger, in which Gar now doubts his intentions to move to Philadelphia, for the first time in the play.
August 25, 2020
A young man's last day in Ireland as he prepares to move to the United States shows him having second thoughts, and wishing he could have a closer relationship with his father.
November 9, 2020
Lads this is a lethal read!!! Philly billy yup america💓💓🥰🥰makes me want some American waffles.
September 6, 2025
Kinda crap
October 13, 2021
Part of my Leaving cert, say nothing
February 2, 2022
read for school. it’s point was base level and i didn’t enjoy it very much. still have to write essays on it though 😋
October 3, 2022
the only reason i read it was because of school. i find this book really boring there’s really not much of a plot more like he doesn’t want to go to philadelphia and he talks with his consciousness.
October 13, 2022
leaving cert tings xx 😙
July 3, 2023
“it has been sixteen or seventeen weeks since i’ve seen the princess of versailles“
July 1, 2019
Gar O’Donnell is leaving his home in rural Ireland for a new life in Philadelphia. The play, over its three Acts or Episodes, takes place the evening and night before he goes. As we should expect from Brian Friel, the play is largely naturalistic, although with a number of formal adventures. Philadelphia, Here I Come! reminded me of the American coming of age films where the central character leaves their small town to head for college or the big city (e.g., American Graffiti, Lady Bird, etc), but the play doesn’t treat the childhood home and community with nostalgia. The play contains ‘flashbacks’, re-enactments of past occurrences, notably Gar’s failed romance with Kate – he is going forwards because there is little to hold him back. His friends from the pub drop around to say goodbye and it is difficult not to think he is doing well to leave them and their small town mentalities behind. But central to the play is Gar’s relationship with his father. Since the death of his mother Gar has been brought up by his father and Madge, the housekeeper, but Mr O’Donnell is a man who keeps his emotions hidden, moving through his life in a dull routine. I presumed the play was working up to the acknowledgment of emotion, father and son breaking through their reticence, but this doesn’t happen. Gar has a nostalgic childhood memory and I presumed it was going to be the catalyst that allowed the cathartic reconciliation, but when Gar finally mentions it his father has no recollection of the event: we are left to presume it was a projection of Gar’s yearning. And the future isn’t necessarily rosy. In a ‘flashback’ we see Gar meeting his Aunt Lizzy and her American husband: she seems slightly overwhelming in her emotions for her sister’s son. Emotionally Gar is caught between his need to escape and his uncertainty about the future. Friel’s most obvious formal experimentation is that Gar split into two characters: the outer Gar and the inner voice: the character is played by two actors, the inner or Private Gar only being heard or seen by the outer or Public Gar. The Inner Gar voices all the Public Gar’s disdain and bitterness at his surrounding, at his father and at Kate; he comically brags and cynically dismisses others; but it is the Private Gar who expresses the uncertainties and hidden emotions. Is this a successful way to show the way we hide our internal feelings and thoughts, keeping a public front when facing others? I think it succeeds here, but in many ways it is a bit cumbersome: it is probably just as well it didn’t catch on as a general dramatic method.
February 28, 2022
Philadelphia, Here I Come is an absolutely wonderful play by Brian Friel. Friel having grew up in Ireland himself is able to give a brilliant insight into the life of a young man growing up in 1950s and 60s Donegal. He was well ahead of his time in regards to the issues he brought up in this play including toxic masculinity, Irish emigration and the role of the church in Ireland.
The play is based in Ballybeg, Donegal in the 1960s. It may help to know that Ballybeg translates to Small Town from Gaeilge and this small town mentality is what drives the play.
The use of Public and Private Gar may be confusing at the beginning but this technique allows you to see Gars true feelings and really adds to the story. Friel allows you to see the realities for a man growing up in a small town in 1960s Ireland where he is meant to be strong and unemotional but we know from the use of Private Gar that this causes more hurt than anything else. It also makes us think about whether or not SB (Gars father) has a private too.
The humour in this play is amazing but (as is obvious from many of the reviews) may not be understood well by those outside of Ireland. It is a tragic comedy often using issues in Ireland in the 1960s as fuel.
The ending is left open for your personal interpretation but I believe this only adds to the play. I will not say much more in this regard as I wouldn't wish to spoil it for anyone wanting to read it.
I would highly recommend reading this play and I would suggest watching it too, whether that is online or in person.
The play is based in Ballybeg, Donegal in the 1960s. It may help to know that Ballybeg translates to Small Town from Gaeilge and this small town mentality is what drives the play.
The use of Public and Private Gar may be confusing at the beginning but this technique allows you to see Gars true feelings and really adds to the story. Friel allows you to see the realities for a man growing up in a small town in 1960s Ireland where he is meant to be strong and unemotional but we know from the use of Private Gar that this causes more hurt than anything else. It also makes us think about whether or not SB (Gars father) has a private too.
The humour in this play is amazing but (as is obvious from many of the reviews) may not be understood well by those outside of Ireland. It is a tragic comedy often using issues in Ireland in the 1960s as fuel.
The ending is left open for your personal interpretation but I believe this only adds to the play. I will not say much more in this regard as I wouldn't wish to spoil it for anyone wanting to read it.
I would highly recommend reading this play and I would suggest watching it too, whether that is online or in person.
March 19, 2021
This is an emotional play portraying the question many come up against in life. Choosing between the love of home, familiarity and family versus the chance of a more prosperous life elsewhere.
The main character Gar struggles with his lot in life, the banality of working in a shop with his dad, the lost chance he had with the woman he loved, his poor wages and the lack of chances and life in his small Irish village.
His aunty living a better life in America communicates affection for him, and thus Far weighs up the chance of a better life in America with someone who cares, or a life in Ireland with his quiet father who exposes no emotion or love for his son.
In the end, Gar is desperate for his father and friends to show that they care for him and want him to stay, but they all let the moment slip and think of the importance of material wealth while underestimating the positives of living in your own hometown.
It's a very Irish and human theme, the choice of leaving your kin and home for the hope of a better life elsewhere. In the end, you wish Gar could feel and see how much people love him and will miss him. But all too often, people feel very much alone, even when surrounded by those that care.
Never forget to let people know you love them.
The main character Gar struggles with his lot in life, the banality of working in a shop with his dad, the lost chance he had with the woman he loved, his poor wages and the lack of chances and life in his small Irish village.
His aunty living a better life in America communicates affection for him, and thus Far weighs up the chance of a better life in America with someone who cares, or a life in Ireland with his quiet father who exposes no emotion or love for his son.
In the end, Gar is desperate for his father and friends to show that they care for him and want him to stay, but they all let the moment slip and think of the importance of material wealth while underestimating the positives of living in your own hometown.
It's a very Irish and human theme, the choice of leaving your kin and home for the hope of a better life elsewhere. In the end, you wish Gar could feel and see how much people love him and will miss him. But all too often, people feel very much alone, even when surrounded by those that care.
Never forget to let people know you love them.
October 24, 2025
i’m so so SO glad i saw this in the library and said “oh a play? feck it” - as someone who only read plays as part of the curriculum in secondary school this was a thoroughly enjoyable read, also it was hilarious (minus the relationship between gar and his dad)
the main theme focuses on the act of leaving home for somewhere new, brighter and full of endless possibilities - something we irish people know all too well
the split between public and private gar was genius; the private version essentially acted as his internal monologue (to me) and i just felt i could seriously relate to that little voice in his head
⭐️ favourite quotes:
“it’s all over; and it’s all about to begin”
“there’s more fish in the sea (…) and they’re all the same when they’re upside down”
the main theme focuses on the act of leaving home for somewhere new, brighter and full of endless possibilities - something we irish people know all too well
the split between public and private gar was genius; the private version essentially acted as his internal monologue (to me) and i just felt i could seriously relate to that little voice in his head
⭐️ favourite quotes:
“it’s all over; and it’s all about to begin”
“there’s more fish in the sea (…) and they’re all the same when they’re upside down”
January 24, 2025
نمیدونم چرا این کتاب رو با معرفی یه بلاگر خریدم ؟؟؟
نمایشنامه ی کوتاه و یکنواختی بود ، هیچ اوجی نداشت
برای من فاقد هیجان و کمی حوصله سر بر بود .
در مورد پسری اهل یک روستای کوچیک در ایرلند که یه شخصیت بیرونی و يه شخصیت درونی داشت در تضاد با هم ، تصمیم گرفته بود به آمریکا مهاجرت کنه اما در آخر هم مشخص نشد با اون همه تردید و دودلی که به خاطر حس علاقه و دلسوزی نسبت به پدرش داشت پرواز کرد یا نه ؟؟؟؟؟
نمایشنامه ی کوتاه و یکنواختی بود ، هیچ اوجی نداشت
برای من فاقد هیجان و کمی حوصله سر بر بود .
در مورد پسری اهل یک روستای کوچیک در ایرلند که یه شخصیت بیرونی و يه شخصیت درونی داشت در تضاد با هم ، تصمیم گرفته بود به آمریکا مهاجرت کنه اما در آخر هم مشخص نشد با اون همه تردید و دودلی که به خاطر حس علاقه و دلسوزی نسبت به پدرش داشت پرواز کرد یا نه ؟؟؟؟؟
December 19, 2018
Finished: 19.12.2018
Genre: play
Rating: B
#ReadIreland
Conclusion:
This play grabs you by hand not your throat
here is why...
My Thoughts
Genre: play
Rating: B
#ReadIreland
Conclusion:
This play grabs you by hand not your throat
here is why...
My Thoughts
Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews