 Synge had spent much time in West Kerry and spoke Irish, so he had certainly heard the legends of Owen Roe; Christy's character resembles that of Owen Roe in many points.Thanks in part to Corkery's book, Ó Súilleabháin has become more widely known in English over the years.The Irish musician Seán Ó Riada wrote a play based on the life of Owen Roe, called "A Spailpín a Rún" (My Darling Spalpeen).