The Cable by Siamsa Tíre at Town Hall Theatre

What to Expect

The Cable is set on Valentia Island at the moment the transatlantic telegraph cable was being laid, when a small Kerry community found itself suddenly wired to the other side of the world. The play uses that upheaval as the ground for a story about love, loss and connection, and about what happens to people when the scale of their world changes overnight without anyone asking them first.

It is written and performed by Mike Kelly and directed by Aidan Dooley, who made Tom Crean: Antarctic Explorer, and co-produced by Siamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland based in Tralee. The style draws on Irish storytelling traditions and carries a score of Irish music by Dave McGilton running underneath the drama, which is characteristic of the company’s work. Running time is 130 minutes including an interval, with an age guidance of 12 and over. The Galway date follows a sell-out premiere and forms part of a national and international tour. It plays Courthouse Square for one night at the end of October, ahead of Halloween week in the city.

Good to Know

• Tuesday 27 October 2026 at Town Hall Theatre, Courthouse Square, Galway City.
• Running time 130 minutes.
• Produced by Siamsa Tíre in co-production with Town Hall Theatre Galway.
• Set on Valentia Island during the laying of the transatlantic cable.
• Ticket prices and the start time are not printed on the Town Hall Theatre listing, so confirm at booking.
• Booking through Town Hall Theatre at tht.ie.

Getting There

Town Hall Theatre is on Courthouse Square beside the Salmon Weir Bridge, five minutes’ walk from Eyre Square via Eglinton Street and Woodquay. Drivers approach on the M6 and N6 from Dublin, Athlone and Ballinasloe, or on the M18 and N18 from Limerick, Gort and Ennis. The Cathedral car park is directly across the bridge and the Corrib Shopping Centre multi-storey is a few minutes away on Eglinton Street. Ceannt Station, for trains and Bus Éireann coaches, is roughly ten minutes on foot, and city buses to Salthill and Knocknacarra leave from Eyre Square.