It may have been the ghost of the famous 1920s actress, Peggy O’Neil, who returned to Gneeveguilla recently to launch her memoir, The Girl from Gneeveguilla.
The book follows Peggy’s life from her birth in the Kerry village and her childhood in New York – to where her parents had emigrated and on to her heady days as a leading actress.
Rapid Rise to Fame
Peggy describes how she turned her back on a career as a teacher in favour of the stage and her rapid rise to fame from chorus girl to household name.
She was engaged to Joe Moran, an American millionaire, but delayed marriage to travel to London where she held the West End in her thrall.
She made the city her home for the rest of her life.
Earned and Lost a Fortune
Peggy lived life lavishly and earned and lost a fortune.
When she died in 1960, her burial plot was paid for by the Actors Benevolent Fund.
Peggy O’Neil left an indelible mark not only on the stage but in song, film and television.
Musical theatre would not disappoint with The Story of Peggy O’Neil: it may yet be written.
The Girl from Gneeveguilla
The story of The Girl from Gneeveguilla has been brought to life by Glenflesk based researcher and writer, Janet Murphy.
An excellent and thorough researcher, she took on and deciphered the historical papers of the late Michael O’Donohoe and prepared them for presentation on the world wide web.
For book availability and other information, Ms. Murphy can be contacted on: 087 24 12 097 and by Email at: janetto@eircom.net
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