Brian Warfield's Celtic Exodus musical set for four-week run in Dublin's Mansion House

The Great Famine is the backdrop for a new musical theatre production, Celtic Exodus - The Musical, opening for a four week run in this summer in the Round Room in Dublin's Mansion House.

The production is written by Brian Warfield of the Wolfe Tones, directed by Mark Lambert and choreographed by former Riverdance lead Jason O'Neill.

The musical is set in 1823, beginning with a bitter feud between Ned ‘Rinca’ McDonagh and Big Dan ‘Buckey’ in Kilturk. Fast forward over 20 years, Big Dan’s daughter Siobhán (Leah Barniville) is engaged to the idiot son of the local Shebeen owner. She flees to the hills where she falls in love with the rebel – and Ned McDonagh’s son – Seán (Colm Quinn), who is on the run for the murder of a land agent.  

But in 1845, the famine hit the land. As the village of starves and under the thumb of Fitzwilliam, the vengeful new land agent in town, the people of Kilturk rally in a desperate act of rebellion against the empire. 

"This is my opus, my legacy," said Brian Warfield. "We are a nation of singers and storytellers and yet our own story remains virtually untold.  Time to put that right."

With a cast of 20 led by Leah Barniville (Britain’s Got Talent), Colm Quinn (Riverdance) and Phelim Drew, Celtic Exodus – the Musical has 20 original songs composed by Brian Warfield, with additional collaborations from Dave Browne of Picturehouse and Kive Connolly. 

“This production tells a story that belongs not only to our history, but to our people,” said Lord Mayor Ray McAdam. “It is a story of hunger and hardship, of exile and endurance, of love and rebellion, of loss and hope. 

“It speaks to the millions who left these shores, to the generations who carried Ireland in their hearts across the world, and to the responsibility we have to keep telling their story.

Tickets for Celtic Exodus – The Musical are available now from €40 each, with special VIP packages available.