An unprecedented five-year theatrical celebration building to the centenary of one of Ireland’s great literary figures, Brian Friel (1929-2015), beginning with a 35th anniversary production of his most celebrated play, Dancing at Lughnasa, staged just fifty metres from the house in which it is set, and close with a combined 50th anniversary celebration of the work of Ireland’s greatest poet – and Friel’s close friend - Seamus Heaney.
DONEGAL: Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel. 35th Anniversary Year. August 1-17 2025. The Canteen Hall, St. Columba’s School, Glenties.
Performed in the traverse with a multicultural cast and staged within a large art installation in St. Columba’s school only 50m from the Laurels House (where the play is set) you will be the walls listening in on the Mundy sisters. Special new score from DJ Marconi. Enjoy a festive opening weekend with Glenties’ own Festival of Lughnasa.
Faith Healer by Brian Friel. August 8-10 & 15-17. Bus Meeting Point – Market Hall,
Glenties, 4.30pm (Act 1 – Edeninfagh / Act 2 Portnoo / Act 3 Ardara / Act 4 Glenties).
A unique journey by bus through the Bluestack Mountains and west Donegal coastal scenery to visit three small community halls, dramatically finishing in the ballroom bar of the Highlands Hotel. Includes special Tennessee Barbecue at the interval on Portnoo Pier.
Translations by Brian Friel. 45th Anniversary Year. August 22-25 2025
Dunlewey Centre, Dunlewey. August 22, 23, 24, 25 – 7.30pm. Arrive early (5.30-6.45pm) and book your mini-bus seat to the early 19th century Glentornan ghost-village, plus experience a special silent prelude at the Weaver’s Cottage – prior to evening performances only.
TYRONE: The Home Place by Brian Friel. 20th Anniversary Year. August 23-25 2025, 2.30pm. Sion Stables Heritage Education Centre, Sion Mills. Enjoy the heritage environment of the Herdman family in Sion Mills with a rare performed reading of Friel’s final play, focusing on the Anglo-Irish big house cultural tradition. Plus a free interval traybake & drink and special Hedge-School conversation.
DERRY~LONDONDERRY: Volunteers by Brian Friel. 50th Anniversary Year. August 29 – 7.30pm (full show); August 30 & 31: 8.30am (Act 1) and 4.30pm (Act 2). Ebrington Keep, Ebrington Square. An archeological staged dig within Ebrington’s Keep overlooking the River Foyle, which unearths an unfairly neglected Friel play. Excavated anew by Kabosh Theatre in a co-production with the Derry Playhouse.
North – World premiere recitals in words and music of one of Seamus Heaney’s most iconic poetry collections, read by the citizens of Derry. Friel’s Volunteers, and Heaney’s North, both from 1975, were inspired by the discovery of the Jutland bog bodies. August 30: Mossbawn & Part 1, First Derry Presbyterian Church, 11am; August 30: Part 1 (cont'd) - Gasyard Centre, The Bogside, 2pm; August 31: Part 2 - Venue TBC, 11am; August 31: Part 2 (contd) - Lumen Christi College, 2pm.