Offaly writer's award winning play comes to Birr for one night only

HEAVEN, winner of the Irish Times New Writing Award, comes to Birr Arts Centre for a special one-night performance on Sunday April 26^th, 2026.

Written by Offaly playwright Eugene O'Brien, this production marks a fitting return to the venue where the play was first introduced to an audience, through a rehearsed reading by Fishamble: The New Play Company in 2021.

Presented by Balally Players, the production arrives in Birr following a highly successful national tour throughout March. The Dublin-based group was recently selected for the All-Ireland Drama Finals with Heaven, with their performance date in Athlone now fully sold out - a testament to the show’s strong reception on the festival circuit. The Birr performance represents the final opportunity for general audiences to see the production on a public stage.

Audience response throughout the tour has been overwhelmingly positive, with attendees describing the production as “a quality production in every way,” “a really captivating performance,” and “outstanding… just brilliant.”

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Heaven tells the story of Mal and Mairead, a middle-aged couple returning to Mairead’s hometown of Edenderry for a family wedding. Over the course of one weekend, they are drawn back into a world of old friends, familiar places, and long-buried memories. As celebrations unfold, the play moves between moments of humour and emotional depth, revealing the quiet tensions and unspoken truths within a long-shared life.

Director Seán Murphy (Balally Players) notes: “Heaven is full of humanity and heart – it reflects the joys and challenges of ordinary people. Bringing this acclaimed play back to Birr, where the story first appeared on stage, means a great deal to us. Audiences will recognise the places, hear the voices, and feel the beauty and complexity of these characters’ lives.”

This homecoming performance (of sorts) adds a special resonance to an already powerful production, bringing Heaven full circle to Birr.

Tickets are available now via the Birr Theatre & Arts Centre box office (057 9122911).

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