September 2025
Guildford Fringe Festival
‘Call Yourself an Irishman?’
Declan Duffy’s one-man show about Ireland, Britain, and not quite knowing which nationality you are.
English influence in Ireland began in the 12th Century when King Henry II disembarked to place the first footprint of any British monarch on Irish soil. The countries have been intertwined ever since. But this linking of histories is only part of the story. The intervening centuries brought conquest and subjugation, war and famine, injustice, resistance and rebellion, terrorism…but also forgiveness, co-operation, cultural exchange and understanding. It has also involved significant emigration. For the huge numbers of Irish who have left their homeland to travel to Henry’s country, bringing not just their ‘Irishness’ with them, but future generations of their own people – their sons, daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren. Irish influence in Britain is as deep-rooted as that of Britain in Ireland. So, given the complexity of it, how do those born in one country, but with ties and binds to the other, consider that history? How do they consider themselves? Specifically, how do those born in Britain, with ancestors from Ireland, define who they are?
7.15pm
Thursday 18th September
The Star Inn, Guildford.
BOOK TICKETS £12
OCTOBER 2025
Songs, Stories & Stamps: The Irish Passport and the Journeys We Carry
The Irish passport is more than just a travel document—it holds stories, memories, and a deep connection to Ireland’s identity. Through music, song, and poetry, this show brings to life the journeys woven into its pages, exploring the experiences, emotions, and voices that have shaped its significance over time.
Last year, 2024 marked the centenary of the first Irish passport, a milestone that reflects a century of travel, migration, and national identity. From the early passports of a newly independent Ireland to today’s powerful symbol of heritage and belonging, we celebrate what it has meant for generations of travellers, migrants, and dreamers. With stirring melodies and evocative words, we honour the passport as both a practical necessity and a powerful emblem of freedom, movement, and national pride.
Join us for an evening where history and personal experience meet, brought to life through captivating artistic expression.
Friday 17th October
London Irish Centre
London NW1 9XB
Liverpool Irish Festival
Songs, Stories & Stamps: The Irish Passport and the Journeys We Carry
Liverpool Irish Festival
Tuesday 21st October
Liverpool Irish Centre
L6 5JG
“Call Yourself an Irishman?”
Monday 20th October
Hope Theatre
22 Hope St,
Liverpool L1 9BY