THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
EXILE blends spoken word and rock to retell John Boyle O'Reilly's daring escape and activist life. Set on Dublin's North Wall, the one-hour production pairs raw historical storytelling with live music for a compact, powerful evening.
EXILE blends spoken word and rock to retell John Boyle O'Reilly's daring escape and activist life. Set on Dublin's North Wall, the one-hour production pairs raw historical storytelling with live music for a compact, powerful evening.
Book with Dublin Port Company
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
16 ratings
Operated by Dublin Port Company · Dublin, County Dublin
EXILE drops you into a crackling hybrid of theatre and rock on Alexandra Rd, North Wall, Dublin, Ireland. For about one hour this production excavates the turbulent life of John Boyle O'Reilly — a County Meath Fenian, convict, escapee and transatlantic activist — through concentrated spoken word, electric instrumentation and direct stagecraft. The show opens with maritime imagery: arrest in Dublin in 1866, transportation to a merciless Australian penal colony, the raft-and-whale-boat escape, and O'Reilly's improbable arrival in America where he became a celebrated journalist and reformer. That journey provides both narrative backbone and emotional propulsion. Playwright Deirdre Kinahan's script channels archival fragments into close, human moments. Jim Culleton's direction frames those moments in tight, kinetic scenes. Music composed by Steve Wickham, Wayne Sheehy and Gerardette Bailey alternates between haunting melody and propulsive rhythm; Carl Kennedy's sound design knits voice and instruments into a single current. Stage Manager Iain Synott keeps the piece lean and immediate while performers Steve Wickham, Wayne Sheehy, Mary Murray, Saramai Leach and Jess Kavanagh shift between lyric, rage and tenderness. EXILE matters to Dublin’s cultural landscape because it reclaims local histories in the city’s working waterfront. Commissioned and developed by Meath County Council Arts Office with support from Creative Ireland, the Arts Council of Ireland and Dublin Port Company, and produced by SoFFt Productions & Meath Arts Office, the piece literalises a connection between County Meath origins and Dublin's North Wall. The production was also funded by the Culture Programme for Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026, giving it civic resonance beyond a single run. Practical details: the official meeting point and ticketing specifics are not provided here; consult the booking link for times and reservations. The performance runs roughly one hour and is presented in English. Seating is often intimate; arrive early for best sightlines and to take in the industrial harbour light outside Alexandra Rd before the lights go down. Why book it? EXILE transforms a historical life into a present-tense concert of storytelling. For visitors combining urban exploration with evening culture, the North Wall location makes it easy to pair the show with a walk along the port, a visit to nearby maritime landmarks, or dinner on the quays. The work's raw honesty, musical pulse and commitment to historical detail make it a memorable, local-first theatrical experience. Expect close quarters and amplified sound; if you prefer quieter performances check runtime and venue notes before booking. Children under a certain age may not be suited to the intensity of the themes and volume. Accessibility information was not provided here; contact the producer or Meath Arts Office for specific access requirements and to confirm seating options prior to arrival today.
The running time is approximately one hour; check the booking page for exact start times.
The address provided is Alexandra Rd, North Wall, Dublin, Ireland; consult the booking link for the venue entrance and meeting point.
The material deals with historical incarceration and political themes and includes loud music; it may be best for older teens and adults.
Refund and exchange policies are not provided here; check the booking page or contact the producer for ticketing terms.
Accessibility details were not provided; contact Meath Arts Office or the producer for specific access needs before booking.
EXILE is presented in English.
Dublin Port Company manages, operates and develops Dublin Port, the principal maritime gateway for Ireland’s capital. Based in Dublin 3, County Dublin, the company oversees commercial port operations, dock infrastructure, cargo handling, and port-area development. Dublin Port Company provides public-facing experiences that connect visitors with the port’s maritime activity and cultural programming. The company offers guided experiences including the Dublin Port Bus Tours, which take visitors through working docks, container terminals, and green spaces while explaining port logistics, energy supply links and ecological considerations. In addition, Dublin Port Company supports cultural events such as EXILE, a theatre and music production that explores the life and escape of John Boyle O’Reilly through spoken word and rock performance. Dublin Port Company operates as the statutory port authority for Dublin Port, responsible for safety, navigation, and commercial services within port limits. That statutory role underpins operational standards and regulatory compliance, and informs visitor access and tour arrangements. Visitors can expect informative, guided experiences that are coordinated around active port operations and safety protocols. The company engages with local communities, maritime stakeholders, and cultural partners to present educational programs and public events. By combining operational expertise with curated visitor experiences, Dublin Port Company offers both an insider perspective on Ireland’s busiest maritime hub and opportunities to experience port heritage, contemporary industry activity, and live cultural programming. Tour schedules, booking details and accessibility information are published by Dublin Port Company and updated regularly to reflect operational needs, safety measures and seasonal event programming for visitors.
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