Derry Literary Weekend brings major works by Friel and Heaney to life

This weekend, literary history will be brought to life in Derry with a special weekend-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of major works by two of Ireland's greatest cultural treasures.

Taking place August 30-31, 2025, will be performances of Brian Friel's rarely performed masterpiece 'Volunteers' alongside Seamus Heaney's transformative poetry collection 'North', both marking five decades since their groundbreaking 1975 debuts.

There is a remarkable £25 Golden Day Ticket available, offering full access to all performances each day and representing extraordinary value for experiencing these literary masterworks in truly unique settings across Derry.

Audiences will witness Friel and Heaney's work performed in locations that would never traditionally host such performances, creating magical encounters between literature and place. 'Volunteers' unfolds in a specially constructed outdoor 'dig set' within the Keep at Ebrington Square, a former British Army barracks overlooking the River Foyle, where the play's archaeological themes resonate powerfully with the historic setting. 

Meanwhile, Heaney's 'North' collection comes alive across four intimate venues ranging from the First Derry Presbyterian Church to the Courthouse on Bishops Street, with almost 30 local community readers bringing these powerful verses to life through voices that span both cultural traditions.

The production boasts an outstanding cast headlined by Patrick O'Kane, fresh from his acclaimed performances in Sky's hit series The Day of the Jackal and BBC's Doctor Who.

O'Kane, whose recent credits also include the forthcoming Amazon Prime series Steal and the soon-to-be released films No Ordinary Heist and Florid, brings his considerable talent to this rare staging of Friel's powerful drama about political prisoners excavating Viking remains while facing internal death sentences for their cooperation with authorities.

The production of ‘Volunteers’ is a co-production between Arts Over Borders, The Playhouse and Kabosh Theatre Company. The show celebrates the region's exceptional acting talent with three standout local performers.

Heaney's 'North' boasts an outstanding cast headlined by Patrick O'Kane (left). Among the cast of ‘Volunteers’ are Andy Doherty and Michael Johnston.

Andy Doherty, a true Doire man currently starring in Terry George's The Tunnel at The Lyric, brings his extensive experience including recent work on Translations at Dublin's Abbey Theatre and having just wrapped filming on BBC's Titanic Sinks Tonight. 

Michael Johnston, a University of Ulster Drama graduate who lives and works in Derry, is known for his extensive work with local companies and recent appearances in major productions including Game of Thrones and Vikings. 

Patrick McBrearty from Donegal, a Royal Central School of Speech and Drama graduate, is set to appear in BBC's new Blue Lights series and HBO's A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The cast is completed by Christopher Bianchi and Frankie McCafferty, bringing decades of experience from major Irish and British productions.

This weekend will be the first time these two seminal 1975 works have been presented together in a celebration of their enduring relevance. Both works premiered in the same year and captured the complexity of Irish identity during the Troubles with unflinching honesty. 

The literary celebration is part of FrielDays – A Homecoming 2025-2029, the weekend combines professional theatrical excellence with genuine community participation, creating an authentic celebration of how great literature speaks across all social boundaries.

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The production transforms historic venues into theatrical spaces, offering audiences the chance to experience these masterworks as never before while honoring two of Derry's finest literary sons.

Performances take place across multiple venues including Ebrington Square Keep, First Derry Presbyterian Church, The Gasyard in the Bogside, The Courthouse on Bishops Street, and Lumen Christi. Golden Day Tickets at £25 provide full access each day, while individual event tickets are also available. Courthouse performances require arrival 30 minutes early for security clearance.

FULL DAY EVENT EVENT DETAILS: (Friday Night - opening night - fully sold out)

SATURDAY AUGUST 30, 2025 - 

8:30am - VOLUNTEERS Act 1 - Ebrington Square Keep

11:00am - NORTH Part 1 - First Derry Presbyterian Church

2:00pm - NORTH Part 1 continued - The Gasyard, Bogside

4:30pm - VOLUNTEERS Act 2 - Ebrington Square Keep

SUNDAY AUGUST 31, 2025

8:30am - VOLUNTEERS Act 1 - Ebrington Square Keep

11:00am & 12:00pm - NORTH Part 2 - The Court House, Bishops Street

Note: Arrive 30 minutes early for security clearance

2:00pm - NORTH Part 2 - Lumen Christi

4:30pm - VOLUNTEERS Act 2 - Ebrington Square Keep

Booking details: https://www.derryplayhouse.co.uk/event/volunteers-north-golden-tickets