The Eugene O’Neill International Festival of Theatre is scheduled to begin in New Ross today, 14 October, with a programme running to Sunday 18 October. Tonight’s listed opening performance is The Unkillable Irishman at St Michael’s Theatre at 8pm, with a published ticket price of €20. [1]

The Wexford event connects evening performances with daytime discussions. For a reader deciding how to take part, the useful choice is not simply which night is available: it is whether a discussion, a performance, or both will make the subject more accessible.

Irish connections, international interpretations

The organisers describe the festival as a partnership between the O’Neill Ancestral Trust in New Ross and the Eugene O’Neill Foundation at Tao House in California. They link the event to the playwright’s family connection with the area and his father James’s emigration from New Ross. [3]

This week’s programme also brings a Georgian interpretation to the town. Tumanishvili Theatre Company is listed to perform Long Day’s Journey Into Night on Thursday 15 October at 8pm. The festival says the production is in Georgian with English subtitles. [1]

That language information is worth checking before booking. Subtitles offer a way into the dialogue, while the performance remains an interpretation in another language. If reading subtitles comfortably is important to you, ask the venue about the viewing position and any access needs.

The library conversations are a separate way to participate

New Ross Library hosts panels at 3.30pm on 15, 16 and 17 October. The organisers say admission is free, booking is required, and attendance does not depend on holding a theatre ticket. Places can be reserved through the library on 051 421877. [2]

The Thursday panel explores O’Neill, emigration and memory; Friday turns to Lucia Joyce; Saturday offers perspectives on O’Neill’s work and discusses the closing play, Ah, Wilderness! The panels are presented by the Eugene O’Neill Society and South East Technological University. [2]

A discussion before a performance can provide context without requiring that every visitor arrive with detailed knowledge of the playwright. Equally, someone interested in literary history can attend the talks without committing to an evening theatre visit.

Match the date to the particular event

Visit Wexford’s listing places the festival in New Ross across 14–18 October. [4] Within that range, individual performances and panels have their own dates and venues; a booking for one should not be assumed to cover another.

Use the current festival programme and the linked booking pages to confirm the event you want, the final price and availability. For access questions, contact the venue before arranging travel. Keep the booking confirmation with the event date and venue so the theatre and library arrangements remain clear.

Sources were checked on 14 October 2026.