Shirley Valentine

Norma Sheahan performs Willy Russell’s Shirley Valentine at An Táin Arts Centre in Dundalk on Friday, 27 November 2026, at 8pm.

What to expect

Shirley is a 45 year old housewife, trapped in a dreary marriage and a humdrum life. As she prepares her husband’s dinner of egg and chips, she wonders when she lost her hopeful, younger self. Feeling isolated, she resorts to conversations with her kitchen wall and dreams of excitement beyond her routine. When an unexpected chance to travel to Greece appears, Shirley takes a leap, digs into her flagging confidence and discovers it is never too late to reclaim her dreams, her joy and herself. An Táin Arts Centre promises an evening of laughter, poignancy and comic self-discovery with one of theatre’s most iconic characters.

First performed in 1986, Shirley Valentine has won an Olivier Award for Best Comedy and a Tony Award for Best Play, and inspired an Oscar-nominated film. This production is directed by Michael Scott and designed by Michael McCaffery, produced by CTD: City Theatre Dublin and Mullingar Centre for the Performing Arts.

An Táin Arts Centre stages the play as part of its year-round mix of local arts, national touring productions and in-house work, alongside a 350 seat main theatre, a 55 seat studio theatre and a visual arts gallery supported by Louth County Council and The Arts Council.

Getting there

An Táin Arts Centre is on Crowe Street in Townparks, Dundalk, County Louth, A91 W20C.

While you’re in Dundalk

Dundalk is the county town of Louth, on the Castletown River between Dublin and Belfast. There is more to see in Dundalk and across County Louth.

Good to know

• Date and time: Friday 27 November 2026, 8pm
• Venue and address: An Táin Arts Centre, Crowe Street, Townparks, Dundalk, County Louth, A91 W20C
• Price: €20, or €18 concession, plus a €1.50 booking fee per ticket
• Booking: Book now
• Details from the An Táin Arts Centre listing, checked 14 September 2026.