About

On a rainy evening in autumn 2023 the staff of a small guesthouse in Newbridge prepared to welcome 100 international protection applicants. As buses with men seeking asylum pulled into the new direct provision site they were met by dozens of Newbridge residents who had gathered in the rain to protest their arrival. Protests occurred over many weeks and shocked the city. Is Mise Éire Eile tells the story of a community grappling with itself following the protests and learning to connect with its new residents.

With text from interviews with the applicants themselves, community members, and local leaders, Is Mise Éire Eile shares true stories from our community and provides hope for building stronger communities.

Is Mise Éire Eile runs 80 minutes with no interval.

The performance will be followed by a panel discussion with company members, local community organisers, and elected officials to discuss practical tools to build more harmonious communities.

Post Performance Discussions 

Each performance of Is Mise Éire Eile will be followed by a discussion with company members, local community organisers, and elected officials to discuss practical tools to build more harmonious communities. Audience members will be asked to complete a short, anonymous survey about the performance and discussion that will measure the role of the arts in social change movements. 

…all I want–I just want to see people succeed…and then just thrive, like, if you can’t, if you don’t want somebody to thrive, then there’s something wrong with you.

Because if we don’t have each other, then we we’ve nothing really, like, there’s just, life is hard, you know, like life is a struggle as it is. So if you can find peace in something, if there’s and if there’s somebody out there that can give you that peace. Do you know?

— Charity Shop Manager
Newbridge, Co Kildare
October, 2024

Advisory 

Is Mise Éire Eile is recommended for audiences 16+