Galway Riders to the Sea / Macbeth double bill The Mick Lally Theatre 10 - 26 July 2025
‘They're all gone now, and there isn't anything more the sea can do to me’
On the Aran Islands, off the coast of Galway, a woman contends with God and the sea for the survival of her family.
J. M. Synge concentrates the lyricism of the West of Ireland and the majesty of the Atlantic Ocean into a short one-act of pure theatre.
20 years on from the formative DruidSynge (2005), Tony Award winners Garry Hynes and Marie Mullen return to the work of one of Ireland’s greatest playwrights for this new production of Riders to the Sea.
Synge’s miniature masterpiece is a swirling tour de force of Celtic paganism, the earthly struggles of life, and the desperate stretch of humanity towards the heavens.
Together in a double bill with a new production of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Riders to the Sea forms the centrepiece of Druid’s 50th anniversary season in 2025, celebrating five decades of the world-renowned Galway theatre company, which was founded in 1975 by Garry Hynes, Marie Mullen and the late Mick Lally.
Proudly presented as part of Galway International Arts Festival 2025.
Reviews
★★★★★
'extraordinarily accomplished ... riveting'
The Irish Times
★★★★★
'intense double bill linked by elemental forces of nature'
The Guardian
★★★★★
'Druid triumph with 50th anniversary double bill’
Irish Examiner
★★★★★
'I loved the juxtaposition of these two pieces'
Arena, RTÉ Radio 1
★★★★★
'a tour de force ... immersive staging, sharp direction, and exceptional performances'
Richard's Theatre Reviews
'spirited, soul-touching ... thrilling, profound, intricate’
The Observer on the double bill
'superhuman delivery by Marie Mullen’
The Observer on Riders to the Sea
'unrelenting, passionate, gruesome and brilliant ... a privilege to see this startling work'
Irish Independent on the double bill
‘the pitch and tone is so pure it feels like the play has achieved some sort of communing with the essence of pure sorrow’
Irish Independent on Riders to the Sea
'Druid dream team delivers a double bill for the ages ... extraordinarily effective ... exhilarating theatre'
Sunday Independent on the double bill
'chilling and captivating'
Sunday Independent on Riders to the Sea
★★★★
'not for the faint of heart ... be prepared to be seriously blown away'
The Arts Review
★★★★
'affecting production ... an enduring West of Ireland story that cuts to the core’
Galway Advertiser
Show info
To celebrate our 50th anniversary in July 2025, we will present Riders to the Sea and Macbeth in a special double bill.
Double bill tickets are currently sold out but you can join the online waiting list in case extra tickets become available.
Individual tickets for either production will not be available, all tickets will be for the double bill only.
Riders to the Sea
Nora: Pattie Maguire*
Maurya: Marie Mullen±
Cathleen: Rachel O’Byrne
Bartley: Marty Rea±
Other roles in both Riders to the Sea will be performed by members of the double bill cast.
Double Bill Cast
Caitríona Ennis
Emmet Farrell*
Liam Heslin
Seán Kearns
Garrett Lombard±
Pattie Maguire*
Marie Mullen±
Rory Nolan±
Rachel O’Byrne
Marty Rea±
Cathal Ryan
Double Bill Creative Team
Director: Garry Hynes
Set and Co-Costume Design: Francis O'Connor
Co-Costume Design: Clíodhna Hallissey^
Lighting Design: Colin Grenfell
Sound Design: Gregory Clarke
Movement Director: David Bolger
Composer: Conor Linehan
Casting Director: Amy Rowan
Hair Design: Siobhán Patterson
Make-Up Design: Michelle Ruane
Associate Director: Sarah Baxter^
Assistant Director: Lianne O’Shea^
± Druid Ensemble member
* Druid stage debut
^ Marie Mullen Bursary recipient
Production Team
Deputy Stage Manager: Sophie Flynn
Assistant Stage Managers: Méabh Crowe, Síle Mahon, Rachel Stout
Costume Supervisor: Clíodhna Hallissey
Deputy Costume Supervisor: Sorcha Ní Chróinín
Costume Makers: Denise Assas, Sarah Mascagni, Marie Murray, Shauna Ward
Costume Assistants/Dressers: Yvette Picque, Adrienne Walsh
Costume Maintenance: Dagda Semler
Fight Director: Ciarán O’Grady
Casting Associate: Clíona Dukes
Lighting Programmer: Susan Collins
Chief Electrician: Paul Kelly
Production Electrician: Shannon Light
Production Sound: Richard Curwood
Master Carpenter: Gus Dewar
Carpenters: Keith Newman, Richard Curwood
Scenic Artist: Rachel Towey
Scenic Painter: Matt Guinnane
Photography: Declan Colohan, Emilija Jefremova, Ros Kavanagh, Ste Murray
Videography: Heavy Man Films, Ste Murray
Graphic Design: Gareth Jones
Publicity: Bowe Communications
DOUBLE BILL
The estimated running time of Riders to the Sea is 25 minutes.
There will then be a 30-minute break followed by Macbeth which is estimated to run at approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes plus an interval.
The overall running time is estimated to be 3 hours and 35 minutes including one break and one interval.
Please note that Riders to the Sea features depictions of death by drowning including a dead body. The production also features some smoke effects. Suitable for ages 12+.
If you have an accessibility request, please let us know in the comments box during the online box office check-out process.
Alternatively, please email info@druid.ie or telephone our office +353 91 568660.