Mother Imelda – Alice Kennedy, 78 from Co Laois in Ireland, came to London in 1974
Alice plays Mother Imelda, the stern Mother Superior of the convent. Mother Imelda considers herself to be very much ‘in command’ of the nuns in the Order and when she orders them to take a holiday outside the convent walls, she doesn’t realise that she is lighting a spark within them which has profound consequences for them all, herself included.
Father Lemas – Patrick Gormley, aged 65, from Belfast, moved to London in 1965.
Patrick plays Fr Lemas, a kind priest, perhaps slightly out of kilter with the traditionalists of the Catholic church. Charged with taking care of the nuns on their holiday to Galway Bay, he gives more guidance than he had anticipated.
Sister Patrick – Barbara Carroll, aged 75 from Carraroe Co Galway came to England in 1961 and moved to London in 1963.
Barbara plays Sr Patrick, an older nun who came to Mount Carmel convent as a young woman. She has a good sense of humour, a depth, and a skepticism which comes from events in her past.
Sister Ann – Maura Haughey, aged 74 from Dublin, moved to London in 1958
Maura plays Sr Ann, a wise, compassionate older nun. She has lived in the convent for many decades, having entered the Order at around the same time as Mother Imelda, both as young nuns. She is from a very humble background in rural Ireland and shows compassion for all ‘God’s creatures.’ She does not wish to go on the holiday, and would much prefer to stay at the convent looking after her animals, but since they are going she decides they should try and enjoy the time away.
Sister Bernadette – Jacqueline Hynes, London-Irish actor and musician
Jacqueline plays Sr Bernadette, a very pious, young nun who is frightened of the outside world. She is desperately upset to be sent outside on the ‘enforced holiday’ to Galway Bay, but with the support of some of the older nuns and Fr Lemas, the time away causes her to reflect on her life and make some important decisions about her future.
Sister Theresa – Theresa Taylor, from Dublin
Theresa plays Sr Theresa, a timid nun who finds it difficult to speak out or share her ideas.
Sister Francis – Aine Morrissey, aged 72, from Lettremore, Co Galway, has lived in London since 1965
Aine plays Sr Francis, a nervous nun who is willing to get a bit more involved in the fun of the holiday, but with strong feelings of accompanying guilt. An obedient nun, she takes her vows very seriously and respects the church hierachy in her deference to Mother Imelda.
John Joe – Tom Wheeler, aged 66 from Meath, has lived in London since 1978
Tom plays John-Joe, a handyman based at the convent. He likes a drink, is vulgar, is ‘cute’ (in the Irish sense) and is uninhibited by the piety of his surroundings. He journeys with the nuns to Galway Bay.
Bridget the Bar Lady – Bridget Walsh, aged 72 from West Meath, came to England in 1958
Bridget plays the flamboyant bar hostess in Galway Bay. A flirtatious host who welcomes the nuns and particularly welcomes Fr Lemas. She keeps the drinks flowing and songs sung, and ensure the nuns have a good time.
The remaining cast of nuns and men are played by members of the Irish Pensioners Choir, Christine Dobson, Celia Byrne, Norma Greene, James Healy, Jerry Hayes, Breda Fanning, Maire Duckett, and Anna Moylan.
Musical accompaniment throughout is provided by Billy Faughnan – a word-class pianist and keyboard player.
Nuns' Chorus by Sally Mulready 