12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Kerry family's story during laying of Transatlantic Cable to be explored in new Siamsa Tíre show
The Cable is a one-man show which explores how a family's emotional struggles mirror a world on the brink of a communication revolution in 1866, when the Transatlantic Cable was laid in Valentia Island.
The Transatlantic Cable ran from Valentia Island to Newfoundland, spanning over 3,000 kilometres beneath the Atlantic Ocean, and revolutionised global communication by reducing message transmission across continents from weeks to mere minutes.
The Cable is said to be a poignant exploration of loss, hope, and the universal longing for connection.
The show is written and will be performed by Mike Kelly while it is co-produced by Siamsa Tíre and directed by the acclaimed Aidan Dooley, creator of Tom Crean: Antarctic Explorer.
The show blends visual storytelling shaped by Mike Kelly with original music by Dave McGilton, lighting design by John Hurley, and the direction of Aidan Dooley.
Audiences are promised a compelling narrative of personal and historical transformation set against one of Ireland's most dramatic landscapes.
Writer and performer of the play Mike Kelly said the production is about more than a piece of history.
'It's about the way we reach for each other across distances, how technology transforms us, and the enduring ties of family and love,' Mike said.
Director Aidan Dooley said returning to Siamsa Tíre with a story rooted in Kerry's soil and soul is incredibly meaningful.
'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,' Aidan stated.
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Siamsa Tíre CEO Angela Ryan Whyte said her organisation is proud to present 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,' Angela said.
'It's a universal story that speaks to everyone told through a local lens — beautifully crafted, musically rich, and emotionally powerful.'
The Cable will run nightly at 8pm from July 17 to July 20 at Siamsa Tíre.
Individual tickets for the show cost €29 and concession tickets cost €27.50. They can be purchase at or by calling 066 7123055.
