Celebrating Brian Friel – An Evening of Readings

On the tenth anniversary of his passing, come join a gathering to celebrate the life and works of legendary playwright, Brian Friel, in a programme of readings from his short stories, plays and diary entries, by a selection of Ireland’s finest actors who were among his close friends and associates. This event is a great opportunity to experience the world of one of Ireland’s most beloved writers. From powerful plays to short stories, Friel’s writings have touched hearts worldwide.

Brian Friel was born in near Omagh, Co. Tyrone in 1929 and lived most of his life in Greencastle, Co. Donegal, until his death in October 2015. He wrote 37 plays in his lifetime including Philadelphia, Here I Come!, Translations, Dancing at Lughnasa and Faith Healer. Thirteen of his plays are set in the fictional village of Ballybeg, considered by many to be inspired by Glenties, his mother’s family home place, where he spent many summers as young boy and returned to regularly throughout his adult life.

The Brian Friel Centre project is currently being undertaken by the Brian Friel Trust and partners, including Donegal County Council, who are working together to create a dedicated Brian Friel Centre at a refurbished Glenties Courthouse and to restore and conserve Brian Friel’s maternal homestead, The Laurels, also in Glenties.