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theatre · Friday 17 July 2026 · 7:30pm 
The Brightening Air at the Gate Theatre
At Gate Theatre · Cavendish Row, Dublin 1
At Gate Theatre · Cavendish Row, Dublin 1
Conor McPherson’s new play arrives at the Gate Theatre this summer, and it is one of the most anticipated Irish productions in years. The Brightening Air is a family drama set in a 1980s rural Irish homestead - siblings Billie and Stephen living their semi-functional life together until two arrivals, an excommunicated uncle and an estranged brother, disturb everything and awaken forces none of them can control. McPherson writes about ordinary Irish lives with a precision that makes audiences uneasy in the best possible way. He also directs, which always sharpens the work. The cast includes Chris O’Dowd making his Gate debut alongside Derbhle Crotty, Brian Gleeson, Seán McGinley, Aisling Kearns, Judith Roddy, Kate Gilmore and Peter Corboy - a line-up that would sell out anywhere. If you are looking for a serious night of theatre in Dublin this summer, this is the one to book.
The play runs from 17 July to 30 August 2026, with evening performances at 7:30pm and matinees at 2:00pm on selected days. The Gate’s bar and café opens an hour before each performance, which is worth knowing - the room itself is part of the occasion. The building on Cavendish Row dates from the 1780s and has been a working theatre since 1929. Orson Welles performed here as a teenager. Ralph Fiennes did Faith Healer here, which later won a Tony on Broadway. The scale is intimate - every seat feels close to the stage - which suits McPherson’s style of slow-burning revelation.
The production transfers from London’s Old Vic, where it premiered in 2025 to strong reviews, so the staging arrives in Dublin fully formed. Group bookings of six or more can get a 10% discount through the box office. Senior tickets are available from €21.50 Tuesday through Thursday.
The Gate is at the top of O’Connell Street on Cavendish Row, beside Parnell Square. From the city centre it is a short walk up the main street. The Luas Red Line stops at Abbey Street, roughly five minutes on foot. Connolly Station is about ten minutes’ walk. Dublin Bus serves O’Connell Street with dozens of routes. Parking in the city centre is limited and expensive in the evenings - it is easier to come by public transport or taxi. If you do drive, the Parnell Square area has some on-street parking after 6pm, though spaces go quickly.
The Gate sits a few minutes from the Garden of Remembrance, the Hugh Lane Gallery and the Conway building on Parnell Square, all worth a look before the show. There is more to see in Dublin and across Co. Dublin.
Heading to Gate Theatre in Dublin? Dublin has plenty more to see. Read the Dublin area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.