Blue Road: The Edna O'Brien Story at The Dock

What to Expect

Sinead O’Shea’s documentary Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story is the September title in The Dock’s Classic Cinema strand, and it plays twice on Wednesday 2 September, at 11.30am and again at 7pm. The film is a portrait of the Irish novelist in her ninety-third and final year, built around her personal diaries and an exclusive late interview. It traces her route out of rural Co. Clare into a literary career that saw her early books banned at home while she was celebrated abroad.

Gabriel Byrne and Walter Mosley appear as contributors, and O’Brien’s diary entries are performed by the Oscar-nominated actress Jessie Buckley. The running time is 99 minutes and the certificate is 12A, with the venue noting infrequent strong language along with references to sex, drug use and self-harm. The morning screening is the cheaper of the two and tends to suit anyone who prefers a daytime run into Carrick-on-Shannon; the 7pm show is the main evening event.

Good to Know

• Date: Wednesday 2 September 2026. Two screenings, 11.30am and 7pm.
• Venue: The Dock, St George’s Terrace, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim.
• Price: morning €8; evening €10 or €8 concession, booking fee included.
• Running time 99 minutes, certificate 12A.
• Part of The Dock’s Classic Cinema series, which runs through the season with a different title each month.
• Book through The Dock’s online box office in advance.

Getting There

The Dock is on St George’s Terrace in the middle of Carrick-on-Shannon, in the converted courthouse near the Shannon bridge. The town is on the N4 between Longford and Sligo, with the R280 running north towards Leitrim Village, Drumshanbo and Drumkeeran. Carrick-on-Shannon station sits on the Dublin Connolly to Sligo railway line a short walk from the centre, and Dublin to Sligo coach services call in the town. Public parking is available close to the venue, and the 11.30am screening usually means an easier run for parking than a weekend evening.