For Dolores, a new play exploring themes grief, motherhood, friendship, and healing comes to the Belltable, July 9-11th, 2026

For Dolores cast pictured above – Starring Lara McDonnell as Réaltín (“The Irish One”) and Catriona Faint as Mo (the Scottish one). Picture: Leo Byrne

For Dolores explores the lives of two young women brought together by tragedy

‘For Dolores’ a new play by Eva O’Connor, presented by Fishamble: The New Play Company is coming July 9-11th at the Belltable Limerick.

Set in Glasgow, the drama explores themes of grief, motherhood, friendship, and healing through the lives of two young women brought together by tragedy. Written in O’Connor’s characteristically lyrical and emotionally honest style, the play examines how people navigate loss while trying to build a future for themselves and for those they love.

Mo (the Scottish one) and Réaltín (the Irish one) partied, played and blazed their way through the Edinburgh student dream. Set in Glasgow a couple of years later, For Dolores is about friendship, motherhood and coming to terms with your worst mistakes. Like twin stars in obsessive orbit, it’s a friendship, a rivalry and an adventure. Risk is a delicious pleasure: until it all explodes in the blink of an eye. How far will they go for love?

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At the centre of the story is Realtín, a lively and outgoing Irish woman who has recently become the mother of a baby girl named Dolores. Once known for her carefree social life, Realtín now finds herself confronting the realities of parenthood while carrying the weight of profound personal loss. Alongside her is Ada, a sharp-witted Glaswegian woman whose humour masks her own emotional struggles. Ada is the aunt of baby Dolores and the sister of Realtín’s late boyfriend. The death of the man who connected them has left both women grieving in different ways, forcing them into a relationship that is at times tense, complicated, and deeply moving.

The play focuses on how these two women attempt to come to terms with the past while caring for the future represented by Dolores. O’Connor presents grief not as a single emotion but as an ever-changing process that affects identity, relationships, and everyday life. Through moments of humour, conflict, and tenderness, the audience witnesses the characters struggling to understand one another while also learning how to support each other. The presence of baby Dolores serves as a symbol of hope and continuity, reminding the characters that life continues even after devastating loss.

Like much of Eva O’Connor’s work, For Dolores places complex female experiences at its heart. Her previous plays have explored themes such as mental health, family relationships, and women’s autonomy, and this new work continues that tradition by portraying women who are flawed, resilient, and deeply human.

Ultimately, For Dolores is a poignant and compassionate exploration of motherhood, friendship, and survival. It asks whether two people connected by grief can find a way to move forward together and create a better future for the child they both love. Through its emotional honesty and richly drawn characters, the play offers a powerful reflection on loss, resilience, and the possibility of healing.

Starring Lara McDonnell as Réaltín (“The Irish One”) and Catriona Faint as Mo (the Scottish one).

Lara McDonnell’s most recent theatre credits include the role of Mary Warren in THE CRUCIBLE at The Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. She played Young Joan in the West End and Broadway production of The Hills of California, written by Jez Butterworth and directed by Sam Mendes. Previous stage credits include the title role in the RSC’s production of Matilda the Musical, at The Cambridge Theatre.

Catriona Faint’s is a BA(Hons) Acting graduate from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Her recent theatre credits include: Hatter in Gallus in Weegieland (Tron Theatre), Jess in Lost Girls At Bus Stops (Play Pie Pint & Traverse Theatre), Katherine in James V: Katherine (Raw Material Arts & Capital Theatres), Jonathan Harker in Dracula: Mina’s Reckoning (National Theatre of Scotland), Annie in Enough of Him (National Theatre of Scotland & Pitlochry Festival Theatre) Sebastian in The Tempest (Tron Theatre), Annabella in ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore (Sam Wanamaker Festival, The Globe)

The play is written by Eva O’Connor and Directed by Jim Culleton with Set & Costume Design by Alyson Cummins, Lighting Design by Suzie Cummins, Composition & Sound Design by Denis Clohessy and Choreography by Nóra Ní Anluain Fay. Fishamble is supported by The Arts Council, Dublin City Council & Culture Irelandand this production is supported by the Scottish Government in Ireland. #FishambleForDolores

Belltable Limerick from 09 July 2026 – 11 July 2026 at 8pm nightly.

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