EXILE

A theatre and music gig exploring the extraordinary life of John Boyle O’Reilly

26 – 28 November 2026, 7:30 pm
The Substation, Dublin Port

Book Tickets

Select a performance below to book your tickets.

Seating is unallocated. Advance booking is recommended.

EXILE is a unique theatre and music gig exploring the extraordinary life of Fenian, poet, convict, journalist and orator John Boyle O’Reilly, from Dowth, County Meath.

Gregarious and gifted, O’Reilly was arrested for Fenian activity in Dublin in 1866 and transported to Australia. He later escaped the penal colony in a daring journey by raft and whaleboat, eventually reaching America, where he became one of the country’s most celebrated progressive voices and writers.

Playwright Deirdre Kinahan first encountered O’Reilly’s story during the Covid-19 pandemic, when she came across his homeplace in County Meath. In EXILE, she joins collaborators and musicians to explore his life, writing and radical spirit through spoken word, rhythm and rock.

Performance Information

Dates
Thursday 26 November 2026
Friday 27 November 2026
Saturday 28 November 2026

Venue
The Substation
Dublin Port

Please arrive in good time before the advertised performance start time.

There is no public parking available at the venue.

Creative Team

Created and written by
Deirdre Kinahan

Directed by
Jim Culleton

Music composed by
Steve Wickham, Wayne Sheehy and Gerardette Bailey

Sound design by
Carl Kennedy

Stage manager
Iain Synott

Cast

Steve Wickham
Wayne Sheehy
Mary Murray
Saramai Leach
Jess Kavanagh

Production

EXILE was commissioned and developed by Meath County Council Arts Office, with support from Creative Ireland, the Arts Council of Ireland and Dublin Port Company.

The production is funded by the Culture Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026.

Produced by SoFFt Productions and Meath County Council Arts Office.