The Cable

Written and performed by Mike Kelly
Directed by Aidan Dooley

A Siamsa Tíre Production at The ICC.

This ICC is delighted to present The Cable, a stirring new drama that weaves
together family, heartbreak and historical moment. Co-produced by Siamsa Tíre
and directed by internationally acclaimed Aidan Dooley, (Tom Crean: Antarctic
Explorer), this evocative one-man show is written and performed by Kerry descendent, Mike Kelly. The production comes straight to the ICC’s stage from the renowned Siamsa Tíre Theatre, located in the heart of Tralee in County Kerry. Set during the momentous laying of the Transatlantic Cable on Valentia Island (Co. Kerry) in 1866 — known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” — The Cable explores the emotional journey of one local family whose emotional struggles mirror a world on the brink of a communications revolution.

“The cable that changed the world — as one family waits for a single word.” 
Blending Mike Kelly’s captivating storytelling with an original music score by Dave McGilton, atmospheric lighting by John Hurley, and the sensitive direction of Aidan Dooley, The Cable is a poignant tale of loss, hope, and the deep human need for connection.

Audiences are treated to a powerful theatrical experience that evokes both historical awe and emotional intimacy — a story of global progress seen through a local, deeply personal lens, set against one of Ireland’s most dramatic landscapes – a story that deeply resonates.

“This production is about more than a piece of history,” says writer-performer Mike Kelly. “It’s about the way we reach for each other across distances, how technology transforms us, and the enduring ties of family and love.”

Director Aidan Dooley added: “The Transatlantic Cable is a symbol of global connection, and this play brings that down to a deeply personal level — showing how progress and pain often walk hand in hand.”

The historic cable, stretching over 3,000 kilometres from Valentia Island (off Dingle Bay in Co. Kerry) to Heart’s Content, Newfoundland, revolutionised communication, shrinking transatlantic messaging from weeks to minutes. As the world changed, so too did the lives of ordinary people — a truth vividly brought to life in The Cable.

CEO of Siamsa Tíre, Angela Ryan Whyte, emphasised the importance of the show:  “We are proud to have presented and Co-Produced a work so deeply rooted in Kerry’s heritage — yet so resonant with today’s world. The Cable speaks to the miracle and the paradox of connection: how a technological leap in the 1800s brought people closer, while today, despite constant digital contact, we often feel more emotionally distant. It’s a universal story that speaks to everyone told through a local lens — beautifully crafted, musically rich, and emotionally powerful.”

Don’t miss this unforgettable theatrical event where history, heart, and heritage meet on stage.

The Cable promises to stir the soul and spark reflection — an extraordinary experience featuring masterful storytelling, original music and a powerful message that resonates.