Private goes public : self narrativisation in Brian Friel’s plays In Brian Friels writing the distinction between public and private is closely linked to the concepts of home family identity and truth. This study examines the characters excessive introspection and their deep seated need to disclose their most intimate knowledge and private truths to define who they are and thus to oppose dominant discourse or avoid heteronomy. This study begins by investigating how a number of Anglo Irish writers publicised their characters private versions of truth thereby illustrating what they perceived to be the space of Irishness. The book then focuses on Friels techniques of sharing his characters private views to demonstrate how he adopted and adapted these practices in his own oeuvre. As the characters superficial inarticulateness and their vivid inner selves are repeatedly juxtaposed in Friels texts his oeuvre quintessentially displays a great unease with the concepts of communication and absolute truth.