Wexford’s theatre talent is crossing the Atlantic once again, with a local festival continuing to give the county’s playwrights a platform at home — and an opportunity to see their work reach American audiences.

The Eugene O’Neill International Festival of Theatre has long championed Wexford voices, having previously showcased writers including Eoin Colfer and Billy Roche. Now the festival is taking that commitment a step further, with contemporary Wexford plays travelling to California as part of an enduring theatrical exchange between the two sides of the Atlantic.

This year, Wexford playwright Jack Matthews will open the festival with The Unkillable Irishman at St Michael’s Theatrein New Ross on Wednesday, October 14, while Sheila Forsey’s Teddy, first premiered at the festival in New Ross, is preparing for its US premiere in California this September throught the festival’s partnershop with the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House.

The same Irish cast members, Margaret Rossiter, Andy Doyle, Kevin Phelan and Sean O’Brien, will travel to California, showcasing their talents to American audiences. Festival Director Tomás Kavanagh will accompany the production as production manager, with Eric Fraiser Hayes directing.

The visit builds on an established exchange between Wexford and California, which has brought American artists to Wexford and taken Irish productions across the Atlantic.

Paul Walsh previously directed a full Wexford cast in a St Michael’s Theatre production of Eugene O’Neill’s Glencairn Sea Plays, performed aboard the historic Balclutha sailing ship at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco.

Now Teddy continues the connection, bringing contemporary Wexford writing to Danville, California where Eugene O’Neill lived and created some of his greatest work.

Both Sheila Forsey and Jack Matthews developed their playwriting through the Wexford Playwright Studio at Wexford Arts Centre, where mentors included Billy Roche and Deirdre Kinahan. The O’Neill Festival provides a further opportunity for that work to reach audiences and develop through collaboration with directors, actors and production teams.

Sheila, who came to playwriting from a background as a novelist, has described the experience as a significant learning curve. She credits Eric Fraiser Hayes, the actors and the wider festival team with helping her develop her work and grow in confidence.

This year, Jack Matthews’ The Unkillable Irishman receives a fresh production directed by Paul Walsh. Based on the extraordinary true story of Donegal emigrant Mike Malloy in Prohibition-era New York, the play combines danger, dark comedy, romance and heart. Jack also takes on the title role.

Following its earlier success with Wexford Drama Group, Paul’s production will bring a grittier interpretation and an ambitious visual setting to St Michael’s Theatre.

“It’s an exciting, funny, heartfelt play,” says Paul. “I don’t think the audience will feel the 90 minutes go, and I encourage everybody to come and see it.”

Rooted in the story of Eugene O’Neill’s father, James, who emigrated from nearby Tinneranny to America, the festival is helping to write a new chapter in that Irish-American relationship, one in which Wexford’s contemporary voices continue to travel .

The 2026 Eugene O’Neill International Festival of Theatre runs from October 14 to 18 in New Ross. Tickets are available through St Michael’s Theatre or by calling 051 421255.