Wed 14 – Sun 18 Oct 2026 | New Ross, Ireland

About the Festival

The Eugene O’Neill International Festival of Theatre in New Ross, Ireland, is a unique cultural and civic celebration of the deep ties between Ireland and the United States — a connection exemplified by the Irish heritage of playwright Eugene O’Neill.

O’Neill’s father, James, was born in nearby Tinneranny and emigrated from New Ross to the United States. This transatlantic connection forms the heart of the festival, which is proudly supported by a partnership between the O’Neill Ancestral Trust of New Ross and the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House, based in Danville, California.

Together, these organisations present the International Eugene O’Neill Festival, a two-part celebration held annually — first in Danville each September, and then in New Ross every October.

The festival not only honours O’Neill’s powerful legacy as America’s most celebrated playwright, but also fosters international friendship and creative exchange through theatre, heritage, music, and conversation.
“The one thing that explains more than anything about me is the fact that I’m Irish.”
Eugene O’Neill
Experience a true Irish Welcome
Festival Tour Packages
Our special festival tour package invites our international visitors from the US and beyond to enjoy the local historical sites during the day as well as our Eugene O’Neill events by night.
Transport, accommodation, visits and attractions all included.
Theatre, Music, and Moments to Remember

This Year’s Line-Up

  • October 14, 2026
  • St Michael's Theatre, New Ross, Wednesday 14 October 2026, 8pm | €20
The Unkillable Irishman
Written by Jack Matthews · Directed by Paul Walsh Starring: Jack Matthews, Seona O'Connor, Fintan Kelly, Sean Byrne

Based on the true story of Mike Malloy, the play ‘The Unkillable Irishman’ is a dark comedy and theatrical caper about a homeless Irishman who survives numerous, increasingly desperate murder attempts in Prohibition-era New York. Written by Jack Matthews and directed by Paul Walsh.

  • October 15, 2026
  • St Michael's Theatre, New Ross - 8:00pm | €20
Long Day’s Journey Into Night
By Eugene O'Neill · Directed by Dmitry Troyanovsky Performed by: Tumanishvili Theatre Company, Tbilisi, Georgia

“Life slowly changes us! Before we even realize it, we have become completely different people…”

Translation – Goderdzi Rukhadze Adaptation and Director – Dmitry Troyanovsky Translation Editor – Manana Antadze Set Designer – Avto Modebadze Music – Dmitry Troyanovsky / Ani Murghulia Choreographer – Tiko Koiava Technical Director – Ela Kazarian Cast: Mary Tyrone – Nineli Chankvetadze; James Tyrone – Paata Baratashvili; Jamie Tyrone – Beka Jumutia; Edmund Tyrone – Luka Chibukhaia

“The performance may be regarded as a continuation of the finest traditions of Mikheil Tumanishvili’s Acting School.” — Lela Tsipuria, theatre scholar and film director

“Dmitry Troyanovsky, together with his creative team, has laid bare the tragic disintegration of a loveless family, as if holding up a mirror to reveal the face of our contemporary society.” — Maka (Marine) Vasadze, theatre critic

About play

Eugene O’Neill’s famous play unfolds over a single long day in the life of the Tyrone family. In profoundly intimate and moving scenes, love and hatred, truth and lies, deep pain and the longing for freedom intertwine.

Our production raises pressing questions: What destroys a family? Why does a home sometimes turn into a prison? And can we exist without the bonds of family relationships?

  • October 16, 2026
  • St Michael’s Theatre, New Ross - 8:00pm | €20
Lucia Joyce, a small drama in motion
Karlik Danza Teatro, Cáceres, Spain

From “Lucia Joyce, a small drama in motion”, we want to pay tribute to all those female artists silenced by the geniuses of patriarchal society. At the same time, we take a brief journey through the birth of modern dance, with references to artists such as Margaret Morris, Martha Graham, Mary Wigman and Pina Bausch. With a theatrical tribute combining dance, theatre and audiovisual elements, we bring the audience closer to the short story and drama of Lucia Joyce, daughter of the author of ‘Ulysses’.

  • October 17, 2026
  • St Michael’s Theatre, New Ross - 8:00pm | €20
Saturday Night Music Evening
Celebrating Ireland's EU Presidency Featuring the music of Ireland, Spain and Georgia

This year’s O’Neill Festival Music evening is a special event to celebrate Ireland’s EU Presidency and featured musicians and singers from Ireland, Spain and Georgia. Featuring the magnificent fiddle player Zoe Conway, who is a prodigious talent and has performed all over the world. Accompanied by her husband John McIntyre whose unique guitar style beautifully complements Zoe on fiddle and also when she sings. Zoe is also blessed with a unique crystal clear voice.

With special guests:

Zoe Conway and John McIntyre

  • Mark Redmond — Uileann Piper
  • Alberto Moreno — Spanish Flamenco Guitarist and Singer
  • Tumanishvili Theatre Group (Georgian Folk Songs)
  • Danescastle Music Group
  • October 18, 2026
  • St Michael's Theatre, New Ross - 8 pm | €20
Ah, Wilderness!
By Eugene O'Neill · Directed by Titian Lish

Ah, Wilderness! is a comedy play by American playwright Eugene O’Neill that premiered on Broadway at the Guild Theatre on October 2, 1933. It differs from a typical O’Neill play in its happy ending for the central character, and depiction of a happy family in turn-of-the-century America. It is O’Neill’s only well-known comedy.

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Address
South St, New Ross,
Co. Wexford
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The festival is funded by the Strand 2 Failte Ireland small grant scheme