Internationally acclaimed actors Sinéad Cusack, Adrian Dunbar, Stephen Rea, Ciarán Hinds, and others are coming to Glenties in October for a star-studded weekend marking the 10th anniversary of Brian Friel’s passing.
An exclusive three day event from 3rd to 5th October will feature performances, readings, conversations, and guided walks across Glenties, honouring the enduring legacy of one of Ireland’s most influential writers.
The weekend will mark a significant milestone in the development of The Laurels, the childhood home of playwright Brian Friel’s mother, and the completion of the first phase of the Brian Friel Centre.
The late Brian Friel, photographed by Bobbie Hanvey
At the heart of the weekend, organised by The Brian Friel Trust, is the official unveiling of the restored Laurels cottage and garden, the home in which Friel spent summer holidays as a child, and a place that would later echo through his most iconic work.
While a private ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Friel family will precede the public celebrations, the emphasis is firmly on a weekend of events that will bring the spirit of Friel’s work to life in the very place that inspired it.
“Ten years after Brian’s passing, it’s very moving to see the Laurels being restored with such care,” said Brian’s wife Anne Friel, who will perform the ribbon cutting. “The Laurels held a special place in his heart; it was a source of memory, imagination, and inspiration. This is a fantastic tribute to him, and to the world he captured so powerfully in his plays.”
“This is more than the restoration of a building; it’s about honouring the cultural legacy of Brian Friel in the place that inspired so much of his work,” said Seamus Neely, Chairperson of the Brian Friel Trust.
“The restoration of The Laurels is a key step in the development of the Brian Friel Centre in Glenties, and this weekend marks the next phase in establishing it as a national and international cultural hub.”
The Laurels, Gortnamucklagh, Glenties
The celebrations officially begin on Friday at 8pm in the Highlands Hotel with Celebrating Brian Friel – An Evening of Readings, directed by Conall Morrison. The event features an all-star cast including Sinéad Cusack, Adrian Dunbar, Stephen Rea, Ciarán Hinds, and others, and is free to attend. Places are limited, so booking is essential via www.abbeycentre.ie or 071 9851375.
On Saturday morning at 11am, the grounds of The Laurels will host Brian Friel Remembered – Readings from the Stories and Plays, a free, open-air event requiring no booking. Parking is available at St. Columba’s Comprehensive School, a short walk from the site.
Saturday continues with Glenties Guided Walks at 2pm and 4pm, followed by a full evening performance of Friel’s acclaimed play Faith Healer at The Market Hall at 7.30pm. (This first floor performance is accessible by stairs only). Directed by Geoffrey Gould, and starring Seamus O’Rourke, Orla Fitzgerald, and Michael Patric, tickets are €25 via www.abbeycentre.ie.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can also view the exhibition Mapping the Land: The Literary Landscape of Brian Friel, curated by Sarah Moran with Muireann Lalor, at the Lúghnasa Creative Arts Centre, Ballybeg House, Glenties. Originally presented by the Irish Repertory Theatre in New York, the exhibition runs daily from 11am to 5pm, Friday to Sunday. Admission is free.
The weekend honours Friel’s legacy and the community that helped shape it, reflecting the deep and lasting connection between his work, the people of Glenties, and the landscape that inspired him. For full event details and bookings, visit www.abbeycentre.ie or contact the organisers directly.
Internationally acclaimed actors to visit Glenties for Brian Friel celebrations was last modified: September 18th, 2025 by Staff Writer
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