Brian Friel to be celebrated in Glenties with special weekend of events
The Brian Friel Trust says the programme is designed to honour Friel’s immense contribution to Irish literature while also showcasing the new phase of development at The Brian Friel Centre in Glenties
The Brian Friel Trust has announced a weekend of events from October 3 to 5, 2025 in Glenties, celebrating the life and work of one of Ireland’s greatest writers.
The programme also marks the latest development phase of The Brian Friel Centre. The festivities begin on Friday evening, October 3, with Celebrating Brian Friel – An Evening of Readings at The Highlands Hotel. The event, directed by Conall Morrison, will feature a stellar cast including Sinéad Cusack, Adrian Dunbar, Stephen Rea, Denis Conway, Neil Martin, Ciarán O’Reilly, Ingrid Craigie, Ciarán Hinds, Sorcha Cusack and friends. Admission is free but booking is essential through abbeventcentre.ie.
On Saturday morning, October 4, Brian Friel Remembered – Readings from the Stories and Plays will take place at The Laurels Cottage and Garden at 11am. Admission is free and no booking is required, although attendees are advised that parking will only be available at St. Columb’s Comprehensive School with a shuttle service in place.
That afternoon, Glenties Guided Walks will be held at 2pm and 4pm, offering a unique chance to explore the landscapes that inspired Friel’s work. Booking is required by email and the cost is €10. Later that evening, at 7.30pm, Geoff Gould will direct a production of Friel’s acclaimed play Faith Healer at The Market Hall, Glenties, featuring Seamus O’Rourke, Orla Fitzgerald and Michael Patrick. Tickets are priced at €25 and must be booked in advance.
Running throughout the weekend from Friday to Sunday will be Mapping the Land: The Literary Landscape of Brian Friel, a special exhibition presented in association with the Irish Repertory Theatre in New York. Curated by Sarah Moran with Muirne Laffan, the exhibition will be hosted at the Lúghnas Centre Arts Centre, Ballybofey, and will be open daily from 11am to 5pm. Admission is free.
The Brian Friel Trust says the programme is designed to honour Friel’s immense contribution to Irish literature while also showcasing the new phase of development at The Brian Friel Centre in Glenties.