Fishamble: The New Play Company & Staatstheater Mainz
in assoc. with Pavilion Theatre & Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable

REFUGE by Deirdre Kinahan

Irish Premiere as part of Dublin Theatre Festival 2026
Directed by Jim Culleton

“Why are you here?”

1710, Rathkeale, County Limerick. The Palatine community flees persecution in Germany and is offered land in Ireland that should never have been given. REFUGE traces their journey and explores the enduring connections between displaced communities of the past and those seeking safety today.

REFUGE is a thrilling new play that weaves past, present, and future. Produced by Fishamble (whose recent productions include For Dolores, HEAVEN, and KING) and Staatstheater Mainz, it is written by Deirdre Kinahan (OUTRAGE, The Saviour, Rathmines Road) and directed by Jim Culleton, whose productions for Fishamble have won Olivier, The Stage, Scotsman Fringe First, and Irish Times Best Director awards.

REFUGE was a huge hit recently in Germany and has a limited run in Ireland before returning to Germany as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency Culture Programme. With an international cast that includes Mary Murray (Cosima, Holy Mary) and Aidan Kelly (Say Nothing, Killing Eve, Poor), and live music played by Steve Wickham (The Waterboys), it tells the story of longing, love, and loss, and the human need to find a place, a home, a refuge.

Co-produced by means of a Pavilion Theatre Patron Donation Award. REFUGE is presented as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency culture programme. Reading events supported by the Goethe-Institut.