This Woman's Work

The truth hurts…

Olivia Clarke decides to make the most of her children being away to finally turn her life around.

She’s determined to give up her long-term use of sedatives once and for all.

Olivia admits herself to a psychiatric hospital to finally get to the root of her addiction, only to discover that beneath the layers of denial lies a deeper issue.

A boyfriend who’s also an addict, a family who don’t understand mental illness, children who compound her sense of failure and guilt, all add to the difficulties on the rocky road to recovery.

However, Olivia quickly makes friends and soon the close-knit group come face to face with their own personal demons.

There's the question of Hannah's depression. Is it really clinical, or is it being caused by something else entirely?

Why is Bette convinced she has cancer? Can anyone other than the doctors cure her irrational fears?

Is there more to Poxy's story about his dead son than he’s letting on?

What is Mondeo hiding behind his physical fitness façade?

It’s not long before Olivia feels compelled to find the answers for all her friends.

But can she also find herself along the way?

Heart-wrenchingly sad and heart-warmingly funny, This Woman’s Work depicts the many aspects and angles of mental illness, and the tumultuous, yet ultimately triumphant, journey towards acceptance and awareness.

Catherine Barry was born on 2nd January 1963 on the North side of Dublin. She is a poet, short story writer, playwright and novelist. Her books have been translated and published in many other European countries. Catherine has also written several plays two of which have gone to stage. Her short play 'The Deal' was staged in The Irish Cultural Center in Paris in June 2015 to commemorate W.B. Yeats 150th Birthday.