Playwright, Denis Johnston Is Born in Dublin

Denis Johnston – Playwright and Chronicler of Irish Life

On this date, Denis Johnston was born in Dublin. A pioneering Irish playwright, broadcaster, and autobiographer, Johnston played a significant role in shaping modern Irish theatre.

His best-known play, The Old Lady Says “No!” (1929), is a surreal, politically charged work that helped establish the reputation of the Gate Theatre in Dublin. Other notable plays include The Moon in the Yellow River, a psychological drama set during the Irish Civil War, The Bride for the Unicorn, and Strange Occurrence on Ireland’s Eye.

Johnston also contributed to Irish cultural history as a BBC war correspondent during WWII and later as a television producer. He published a critical biography, In Search of Swift, and two autobiographical works that reflect on his life, politics, and artistic development.

His legacy lies in bridging traditional Irish theatre with experimental modernism, and in capturing the complexities of Irish identity in the 20th century.