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music · Monday 31 August 2026 · 8:00pm 
Derek Ryan - The Songwriter's Show
At Backstage Theatre · Longford Town, Co. Longford
At Backstage Theatre · Longford Town, Co. Longford
Derek Ryan is one of the most in-demand performers on the Irish country and acoustic circuit, and this show is a different kind of night from his usual live concert dates. The Songwriter’s Show strips everything back - no big band, no production fanfare - just Ryan on stage with two musicians, a microphone, and the stories behind the songs. If you’ve ever heard a track on the radio and wondered what moment or person sparked it, this is where you find out. It suits fans of his music, obviously, but the format is relaxed enough that anyone who likes an honest evening of live acoustic performance will find plenty to enjoy.
Running at around one hour and fifty minutes with an interval, the show has a conversational quality. Ryan takes his audience through his catalogue - songs from across his career - pausing to share the circumstances and memories that gave each one its shape. He’s joined on stage by Ray McLoughlin and Kane O’Rourke, both accomplished session musicians, so the playing is tight and the sound is warm despite the stripped-back setup.
Backstage Theatre holds just over 200 seats, which means sightlines are good from nearly anywhere in the house and the atmosphere is close rather than arena-distant. Tickets were listed at €25.50 and described as selling fast, so booking ahead rather than chancing the door is sensible.
The venue has assisted listening devices available and the auditorium is wheelchair accessible - up to three wheelchair spaces per show, bookable through the box office.
Longford town sits on the N4 between Dublin and Sligo, roughly 120km north-west of Dublin, about 90 minutes by car from the capital. The M4 takes you most of the way and the N4 carries you in from Mullingar. Bus Eireann operates regular services from Dublin Busaras to Longford, and the town is on the Dublin to Sligo rail line with services running several times daily. The theatre is centrally located in Longford town, with a car park directly outside.
Longford town is a compact, easy-going midlands stop, and the Sunday bank holiday weekend at the end of August gives you a bit of room to explore at a slower pace before the show. There is more to see in Longford and across Co. Longford.
Heading to Backstage Theatre in Longford? Longford has plenty more to see. Read the Longford area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.