Fit-up Theatre Festival

03/04/2026

10/02/2026

Last up, we have Aindrias de Staic (recently seen on The Tommy Tiernan Show) with his wonderful show 'A Little de Staic of Stories'.

Tue 10th Feb: Inch Community Hall · 8pm
Wed 11th Feb: Bartlemy Community Hall · 8pm
Thurs 12th Feb: Ballynoe Community Hall · 8pm
Fri 13th Feb: Saint George’s Arts Centre, Mitchelstown · 8pm
Sat 14th Feb: The Mall Arts Centre, Youghal · 8pm
Sun 15th Feb: The Palace Theatre, Fermoy · 8pm

Tickets €18 on the door, cash only. Tickets for Youghal and Mitchelstown can be booked online. Doors open at 7.30pm.

https://www.fit-uptheatrefestival.com/

The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Cork County Council Fáilte Ireland Pure Cork

03/02/2026

'Mary's Hopes and Dreams' kicks off its tour of East Cork tonight in Inch Community Hall!

After performing 'The Parish' in over 70 venues nationwide, Hubcap Theatre return with a delightful comedy about life in a rural Irish community. Using their trademark visual comedy and characterisation, the story unfolds through a madcap cast of cattle dealers, tennis players, greyhound trainers, 80s pop stars and the much-loved Two Marys.

For more details, please see our Fit-Up website: https://www.fit-uptheatrefestival.com/

HubCap Comedy Theatre The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Cork County Council Fáilte Ireland Pure Cork

30/01/2026

Fantastic opening night in Ballynoe! 'The Love Hungry Farmer' runs until Sunday 1st February.

23/01/2026

Seamus O'Rourke returns to the Fit-Ups with his new one-man show, adapted from John B. Keane's 'Letters of a Love-Hungry Farmer'.

John Bosco McLaine is a man who has never lain down with a woman, but romantic blood has pulsed through his veins all his life. Always an optimist and a virgin in equal measure, he embarks on a search for an ideal companion regardless of age, failure rate or dammed advice, following his heart in an ultimate bid to procure himself a wife.

- Thurs 29th Jan: Ballynoe Community Hall (8pm)
- Fri 30th Jan: Saint George’s Arts Centre, Mitchelstown (8pm)
- Sat 31st Jan: The Mall Arts Centre, Youghal (8pm)
- Sun 1st Feb: The Palace Theatre, Fermoy (8pm)

Tickets are €18 on the door, cash only. However, tickets for Mitchelstown and Youghal can be purchased online:
- https://www.saintgeorgesmitown.com/
- https://livingyoughal.ie/whats-on/?filter=tribe_events--42

Blood in the Alley Theatre Company, The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Cork County Council, Fáilte Ireland, Pure Cork

18/01/2026

We are delighted go announce the lineup for the 2026 Blackwater Valley Fit-Up Theatre Festival:

'The Love Hungry Farmer'
by John B Keane
adapted & performed by Seamus O'Rourke

'Mary's Hopes and Dreams'
by Hubcap Theatre

'A Little De Staic of Stories'
by Aindrias de Staic

For full details, please visit our website:
https://www.fit-uptheatrefestival.com/

27/11/2025

What a week it has been for Blood in the Alley's co-founder and artistic director, Geoff Gould. Firstly, to get a write up in the prestigious The Stage newspaper, detailing how he revived an old theatre tradition with the hugely popular Fit-Up Theatre Festivals. Secondly, to be named Cork Person of the Month, an enormous honour and an award he truly deserves. In 2025, he oversaw another two triumphant Fit-Up Festivals, as well as tremendously successful national tours of 'The Empty Nest' and 'Faith Healer'. An amazing year for an amazing man!
- https://www.thestage.co.uk/obituaries--archive/archive/fit-ups-the-touring-companies-that-brought-theatre-to-rural-ireland
- https://www.thecork.ie/2025/11/26/theatre-founder-is-cork-person-of-the-month-for-november/

03/08/2025

As the 2025 West Cork Fit-Up Theatre Festival draws to a close, we want to thank everyone who came out to see the plays on offer this year. We are truly fortunate to have such wonderful support, and we hope that you all enjoyed the shows. Come along to Ballydehob Community Hall at 8pm this evening for the final performance of HAM SANDWICHES AND DISCIPLINE. We will leave you with this lovely photo of the Fit-Up team.

31/07/2025

Last but not least, we have THE WOBBLY CIRCUS!

This family-friendly event is tremendous fun and hugely popular, suitable for audiences of all ages. Most importantly, entry is FREE, so please come along to Ballydehob over the weekend:

- Sat 2 Aug, 12pm
- Sun 3 Aug, 12pm
- Sun 3 Aug, 4pm

Shows will take place in the park next to the Community Hall.

The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Cork County Council Fáilte Ireland Pure Cork

30/07/2025

Pop into The Aisling Art Gallery Ballydehob to see Danny Greenhalgh's exhibition THE TONGUE OF SOLOMONESCU, which runs until 4th August!

29/07/2025

This week in the Festival Tent:

CAPTAIN WAGTAIL
by Éidín Griffin
- Tues 29 July, 4pm
- Tues 29 July, 7pm
- Wed 30 July, 7pm

AFTER LUKE
by Cónal Creedon
⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Irish Times
- Thurs 31 July, 4pm
- Thurs 31 July, 7pm
- Fri 1 Aug, 4pm

BARD FOR LIFE
by Aindrias de Staic
- Fri 1 Aug, 7pm
- Sat 2 Aug, 4pm
- Sat 2 Aug, 7pm

Tickets €15 on the door, cash only.

The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Cork County Council Fáilte Ireland Pure Cork