Friar's Gate Theatre Events
Operating since 1997, Friars’ Gate Theatre is a vibrant venue and arts centre in the heart of Munster. It is dedicated to promoting equality and inclusion in the community by giving all people a forum for expression.
The venue hosts a wide variety of performances, including music, theatre, and drama presented by professional and amateur groups.
Over the past twenty-plus years Friars’ Gate has presented a busy and diverse programme, bringing an eclectic artistic mix and teaching of the highest standards to a wide rural audience.
Check out the Friar's Gate Theatre Website for more information. Tickets are available via email [email protected] or call 063-98727.
Little Women
Event Date: Thursday 15th May 2025
Time and Location: From 8pm at Friars’ Gate Theatre Co. Limerick.
This beloved classic novel by Louisa May Alcott is given a Hotbuckle make-over in a new adaptation by Adrian Preater. The March sister’s journey from adolescence to adulthood is navigated through multi-role playing characterisation and imaginative staging as Hotbuckle explore family, love, and the challenges of growing up.
Hotbuckle are renowned for their fast -paced, multi-role-playing adaptations which cross age and gender traditions, and their latest offering promises to keep true to their style as we are invited to enter the world of The March sisters. Their journey from adolescence to adulthood is navigated through skillful characterisation and imaginative staging, as Hotbuckle explore family, love, loss and the challenges of growing up. With a touch of the highly acclaimed Hotbuckle humour and fast-paced storytelling, 19th Century Massachusetts will be brought to life as you’ve never experienced before!
Chris Kent – Offline
Event Date: Thursday 20th June 2025
Time and Location: From 8pm at Friars’ Gate Theatre Co. Limerick.
Cork’s own Chris Kent returns with a brand new show ‘Offline’. He tries to give up the internet and navigate life without asking his phone what to eat, where to go or how to get home. He longs for a simpler time of playing ‘Snake’ and constructing emojis himself. Now that he has hit 40 years of age, he wonders if he can ever go back to thinking for himself. Join him on a journey that will either make him or break him.
Mary’s Hopes & Dreams
Event Date: Friday 5th September 2025
Time and Location: From 8pm at Friars’ Gate Theatre Co. Limerick.
The Hubcaps are back!
Hubcap Theatre is back with Mary’s Hopes & Dreams, a brand-new comedy play!
After performing The Parish in over 70 venues nationwide, the boys return with Mary’s Hopes & Dreams. A delightful comedy about life in a rural community, the story unfolds with a cast of colourful characters including Cattle Dealers, Greyhound trainers, 80’s Pop Stars and the much loved Two Mary’s!
Using Hubcap’s unique brand of visual comedy and characterisation, the audience will delight in madcap scenes of slapstick, rap, mime, song, dance, martial arts and swimming!
Running time 85 minutes.
Bernard O’Shea – Desperate House Husband
Event Date: Friday 12th September 2025
Time and Location: From 8pm at Friars’ Gate Theatre Co. Limerick.
Bernard O’Shea, the ‘Desperate House Husband,’ invites you on a hilarious escapade into the stay-at-home parenting world. Brace yourself for comical tales of domestic appliances with sinister intentions, yearning for a peaceful night’s rest, and even covert playground reconnaissance operations. It’s a laugh-out-loud journey through the trials and tribulations of modern family life!
Folk music favourites Eleanor Shanley and Mike Hanrahan
Event Date: Friday 10th October 2025
Time and Location: From 8pm at Friars’ Gate Theatre Co. Limerick.
Join the renowned Eleanor Shanley and Mike Hanrahan for an intimate evening of music and stories at Friars Gate Theatre on Friday, October 10th. With over three decades at the forefront of Irish music, both artists will draw from their rich back catalogues and new collaborations.
Eleanor, beloved for her emotive voice and unique interpretations, has toured globally with De Dannan and Ronnie Drew, earning her place in the Folk Music Hall of Fame. She’s known for hits like Dragonfly, Kilkelly, and Forever Young, and has worked with The Dubliners, Sharon Shannon, and U2.
Mike, famed for his work with Stockton’s Wing and songs like Beautiful Affair and Walk Away, is also an acclaimed solo artist, author, and advocate for the arts in dementia care. He produced Eleanor and Ronnie Drew’s hit duet A Couple More Years and stars in the RTE series Songs of Ireland.
Together, Eleanor and Mike promise a warm, engaging night of music, stories, and sing-alongs.
“Carnacki – The Ghost Finder” and “Frank ‘n’ Stein’s Teddy” Halloween Shows
Frank ‘n’ Stein’s Teddy
Suitable for children aged 6 and under and their families.
Eddy the Teddy gets separated from his best friend Sammy Ragdoll. Soon Eddy runs into Frank and his friend Stein. They have lost their Teddy and decide that Eddy should be the replacement. Eddy doesn’t like this idea and promises to find their Teddy for them so that they won’t want him anymore.
The show uses many elements of theatre, mime, puppetry and songs to join in with. It’s a perfect introduction to live entertainment for children who’ve never been to a show before, and a welcome return for Eddy the Teddy’s young fans.
Carnacki – The Ghost Finder
Thursday 23rd October 11.30am
For children aged between five and ten and their families.
From the stories by William Hope Hodgson. Thomas Carnacki is a Sherlock Holmes style detective, but his speciality is the supernatural.
In this story he investigates a haunting in his own mother’s house. They hear mysterious knocking and door banging in the night. Then Thomas discovers the mysterious history of his mother‘s house, which includes a former tenant named mysterious history, which includes a former tenant named Captain Tobias, and rumours of a ghostly woman…
Barking Dog’s two talented actors (with the help of some puppets and children from the audience) present this exciting tale. With original music and audience participation as well as use of puppetry and mime, this is ideal for any book week, projects on fantasy, fairy tales, nursery rhymes, music or drama.
To Book Call 063-98727 or Email: [email protected]
Pull Hard – Cornelius Patrick O’Sullivan
Event Date: Saturday 8th November 2025
Time and Location: From 8pm at Friars’ Gate Theatre Co. Limerick.
Award-winning comedian, writer and podcaster Cornelius Patrick O’Sullivan is furious.
If he had his time back again, he would do it all differently. Alas this is not an option so as he looks his forties firmly in the face he has hatched a new plan.
To live his life vicariously through his seven-year-old son Harvey. What possibly could go wrong?!?
Pull Hard is a brand-new stand-up comedy show that deals with fatherhood and middle age and the lingering disappointment of lost opportunity.
The hour is seasoned with tales of GAA matches, failed diets and expensive babysitters. Above all it’s a show about hope and endeavour.
ANNE GILDEA – Further Adventures in WOMANING
Event Date: Saturday 29th November 2025
Time and Location: From 8pm at Friars’ Gate Theatre Co. Limerick.
From Anne Gildea, the woman who taught you How to Get The Menopause and Enjoy It, comes a brand new show: Further Adventures in WOMANING. And what an hilarious adventure it’s going to be!
Join us as Anne explores the world of the feminine, the mammy, the twerky dancer: From 18-hour girdles and Housewives of The Year, to ripped influencer grannies pumping iron on Insta, from the Sunday drive to the spa break, from Angel Delight to Ozempic and back to the chiffon scarf test, Anne weaves a pant-wetting path through a changing half century of womany stuff –
And that’s just the tip of the Anneburg!
Praise for How to Get The Menopause and Enjoy It
