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Jilly Morgan’s Birthday Party to kick off national tour at Lime Tree Theatre this September 11 to 13

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Jilly Morgan’s Birthday Party to kick off the 2025 national tour at Lime Tree Theatre this September 11 to 13. Photos: Maurice Gunning

Limerick audiences can once again enjoy the captivating journey through time which is Jilly Morgan’s Birthday Party, a gripping tale of love, longing and obsession, returning to Lime Tree Theatre this September 11-13, 2025

Jilly Morgan's Birthday Party to kick off national tour at Lime Tree Theatre this September 11 to 13
Set against the backdrop of 1980s Limerick city, the show follows the story of Jack, whose life is forever changed by a brief, passionate kiss at a party.

Audiences in Limerick will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a journey through time as Lime Tree Theatre/Belltable presents Jilly Morgan’s Birthday Party, a gripping tale of love, longing and obsession, written by Limerick playwright Liam McCarthy and directed by Joan Sheehy. The play runs at Lime Tree Theatre from September 11-13, 2025, following its successful premiere in May 2024.

Set against the backdrop of 1980s Limerick city, the show follows the story of Jack, whose life is forever changed by a brief, passionate kiss at a party. This moment becomes Jack’s lifelong fixation, leading him on a journey of self-discovery across four decades. Inspired by Anton Chekhov’s short story ‘The Kiss’, this darkly humorous and thought-provoking play offers a condensed social history and a vivid portrayal of Limerick city.

The production stars Patrick Ryan and Georgina Miller, whose on-stage chemistry has drawn praise from audiences, as well as the importance of the story, with one saying, “ Wonderful performances, Pat Ryan, and Georgina are just brilliant together. I knew they would be, I’ve seen them both before, but it’s lovely to see them together.”


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Another exclaimed, “ I was really blown away by it! I thought the writing was really brilliant in terms of the Limerick vernacular, but for me, the biggest thing was, I suppose, our relationships with time and how it represented, how quickly it can pass for us, and the reflections and the regrets. And the struggle we have with how relentless time is.”

McCarthy’s artistic journey with the company, from his initial participation in Belltable:Connect initiative to his residency in 2021, has culminated in this eagerly awaited debut. Following the success of his previous works, including Fergal and Mam and Love and Woo, McCarthy’s Jilly Morgan’s Birthday Party, promises to be a highlight of the theatrical calendar.

The production stars Patrick Ryan and Georgina Miller

Following its sold-out premiere in Limerick in May 2024, Jilly Morgan’s Birthday Party toured nine leading venues across Ireland this autumn, following its three-night run at the Lime Tree Theatre from September 11-13.

JILLY MORGAN’S BIRTHDAY PARTY – AUTUMN 2025 TOUR SCHEDULE:

Limerick – Lime Tree Theatre: Thursday 11 – Saturday, 13 Sept
Dún Laoghaire – Pavilion Theatre: Wednesday, 17 Sept
Sligo – Hawk’s Well Theatre: Tuesday, 23 Sept
Longford – Backstage Theatre: Thursday, 25 Sept
Galway – Town Hall Theatre: Saturday, 27 Sept
Cork – The Everyman: Tuesday, 30 Sept
Ennis – glór: Thursday, 2 Oct
Tralee – Siamsa Tíre: Saturday, 4 Oct
Portlaoise – Dunamaise Arts Centre: Tuesday, 7 Oct
Waterford – Theatre Royal: Friday, 10 Oct

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Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.