From Tim Robinson's Introduction to Synge's "The Aran Islands"

'The 'Playboy Riots' were to become part of theatrical legend. As Synge wrote to Molly [ a love interest and the actress who played Pegeen ] the next morning, 'Now we'll be talked about. We're an event in the history of the Irish Stage. I have a splitting headache....' Large numbers of police -- the royal Irish Constabulary, to the nationalists an arm of foreign oppression -- were called upon to preserve a semblance of order for the following performances, which were largely inaudible. Yeats returned hastily from Scotland, lectured the baying crown from the stage with courage and dignity, went into court to testify against arrested rioters, and within a few days organized a public debate, in which despite personal reservations he spoke himself hoarse for Synge's play against a tumultuous audience. Synge himself was home in bed suffering from exhaustion and influenza.'