Birr man and Gate director takes fascinated listeners 'behind the scenes'

One of the many talented people who recently converged on Birr to take part in the Scripts Playwriting Festival was Birr's own Colm O'Callaghan.

Colm is the Director and Co-CEO of the Gate Theatre in Dublin. During the festival he gave a talk about his career, Irish theatre and how it is thriving, what it takes to put on new works and much more. This was a rare chance to hear a fascinating insight into the evolving world of Irish theatre.
With over two decades of experience spanning Ireland and Australia, Colm brought a bold, global perspective to the challenges and possibilities facing the performing arts today.
From his roots in Birr to leading one of Ireland’s most iconic cultural institutions, Colm’s journey reflects a passion for storytelling, representation, and innovation. In a dynamic conversation, he explored what it means to create “new work” in 2025, how theatre can become a true civic space, and why co-leadership and inclusive programming matter more than ever.
In attendance at his talk were theatre-makers, regular audience members, and people simply curious about where Irish theatre is headed, and they were all given a compelling look behind the curtain; and a chance to reflect on the enduring magic of the stage.

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