Munster-Canadian links explored in new period play

AS PART of the Ballyhoura Region’s bicentennial commemoration of the Peter Robinson settlers, CallBack Theatre proudly presents The Robinson Experiment, a newly-commissioned play that brings to life one of the most poignant chapters in Irish-Canadian history.

Written and directed by acclaimed playwright John Sheehy and produced by Cora Fenton, The Robinson Experiment explores the emotional journey of a Munster family preparing to emigrate to Canada in 1825 under the British Government’s Peter Robinson resettlement scheme.

This initiative, which predated the Great Famine by two decades, saw over 500 families from North Cork, Southeast Limerick, and the Ballyhoura Region set sail from Cobh to begin anew in Ontario.

Rather than a historical retelling, Sheehy’s script delves into the human experience — capturing the fear, hope, humour, and heartbreak of those leaving and those left behind. “I wanted to let the characters speak for themselves,” says Sheehy. “To imagine their dreams, their doubts, and the courage it took to face the unknown.”

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The production will run from September 15 to 21 at The Schoolyard Theatre, Charleville.
CallBack Theatre, founded in 2001 by Sheehy and Fenton, has earned national acclaim for its emotionally resonant and thought-provoking productions.

With The Robinson Experiment, the company continues its tradition of excellence, supported once again by Ballyhoura Development, whose long-standing commitment to the arts has helped bring local stories to national stages.

The play is a centrepiece of a weeklong programme of events commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Peter Robinson settlers.

Now, 200 years on from the emigration scheme, tracing the names on the passenger lists reveals and unfolds families, connections, and ties on both sides of the Atlantic. Over 120 international visitors — descendants of those early emigrants — will travel to the Ballyhoura Region to reconnect with their roots and honour their ancestors’ legacy.

Sheila Queally, board member of The Schoolyard Theatre, expressed pride in hosting the production: “This is exactly the kind of community-focused, high-quality work our theatre was built to support.”

Tickets are now available on Eventbrite.