The sea remembers everything. It holds in its depths the stories of those who trusted their lives to its mercy, only to discover its terrible power. This November, one such story will surface at London’s Irish Cultural Centre, brought to life through a haunting fusion of music, poetry, and the unmistakable voice of Oscar-nominated actor Stephen Rea.
OCEAN CHILD represents something entirely unique in contemporary performance art. Born from the creative vision of Belfast cellist and composer Neil Martin, this extraordinary work transforms a forgotten maritime tragedy into an unforgettable artistic experience that transcends traditional boundaries between classical and folk music, between historical documentation and poetic interpretation.
The story at its heart is achingly real. On January 21, 1854, the RMS Tayleur met its fate in the cold waters off Dublin’s Lambay Island. What should have been a triumphant maiden voyage to Australia became instead one of the most devastating shipwrecks in Irish maritime history. The clipper had departed Liverpool just two days earlier, carrying over 650 souls eager for new beginnings in the Australian colonies. Within hours of entering Irish waters, their dreams were swallowed by the sea. Only 280 people survived.
It is Stephen Rea’s presence that elevates OCEAN CHILD from historical commemoration to something approaching the mystical. Known internationally for his powerful performances in THE CRYING GAME, MICHAEL COLLINS, and V FOR VENDETTA, Rea brings to this production a voice capable of carrying both intimate sorrow and epic scope. He embodies the titular Ocean Child, described as “a poetic creation evoking themes of memory, exile, and the vast power of the sea.” This is not merely narration; it is channeling, giving voice to the voiceless, speaking for those whose stories were lost beneath the waves.
The Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith provides the perfect setting for this London premiere, as the venue celebrates its own 30th anniversary. Centre Director William Foote recognizes something special in OCEAN CHILD, describing it as encapsulating “everything the ICC stands for: artistic excellence, cross-cultural dialogue, and a commitment to work that transcends cultural and disciplinary boundaries.” This is precisely what makes the production so compelling—it refuses to be contained within conventional categories.
OCEAN CHILD stands as testament to art’s unique power to rescue memory from oblivion. In an age where historical tragedies often become mere statistics, Martin’s composition insists on the human dimension of loss. Every note played by the quartet, every word spoken by Rea, every haunting melody drawn from the Mulcahy sisters’ instruments serves to remind us that behind every shipwreck lie individual stories of hope, fear, love, and desperate courage.
The production’s November 8 and 9 performances represent the only opportunity London audiences will have to experience this remarkable work. In choosing to limit the run, the creators ensure that OCEAN CHILD remains what it was always meant to be—not a commercial entertainment, but a sacred act of remembrance, a artistic ritual that honors both the dead and the living’s need to understand their stories.
Get your tickets HERE.
Adapted from Louise Kennedy`s bestselling novel, TRESPASSES stars Gillian Anderson as executive producer and cast member.
Kennedy praises the "ear-perfect, sexy script" and "gorgeously melancholic aesthetic vision" that brings her Women`s Prize-shortlisted novel to life.
Premieres Sunday 9pm on Channel 4, more at irishfilmtv.com.
THE IRIS AFFAIR is a high-stakes chase thriller that turns Italy into a deadly playground where genius meets danger.
Created by LUTHER mastermind Neil Cross, this Sky Original delivers cinematic tension where trust is fatal and every move could be your last. Two minds. One secret. No escape.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
** NEW TRAILER ALERT **
Roadside Attractions has unveiled the first trailer for H IS FOR HAWK, and it`s breathtaking. Brendan Gleeson appears as the father whose absence shapes everything, bringing his signature depth to a role that haunts the entire film.
Watch now at irishfilmtv.com.
🎬 HAMNET has officially overtaken Paul Thomas Anderson`s ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER as the Oscar frontrunner!
Chloé Zhao`s Shakespeare-inspired drama now leads with a 96.8% chance of nomination, fueled by its Telluride buzz and Toronto People`s Choice win.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
The DERRY GIRLS creator is back with HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST — and it`s the show Lisa McGee says she`s always wanted to make. 🍀
Three childhood friends. One mysterious death. A wake that goes sideways. Eight episodes of chaos, secrets, and arguments about eyelash extensions.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Pierce Brosnan trades his 007 tuxedo for raw, devastating drama in CURTAIN CALL—arriving on digital November 10.
Starring opposite Jessica Lange, Brosnan continues his brilliant pivot from action hero to serious character actor, exploring the heartbreaking reality of dementia in the theatre world.
Watch trailer on irishfilmtv.com.
Colin Farrell`s latest is dividing audiences, but everyone agrees on one thing: his performance is absolutely magnetic ✨
The Oscar-nominated Irish actor stars as Lord Doyle, a spiraling gambler in neon-soaked Macao searching for redemption.
Don`t miss Farrell at his destructive best, now on @netflix!
Daniel Day-Lewis is BACK and we`re not ready for how devastating ANEMONE is 😭
After 7 years away from the screen, Day-Lewis returns in this quiet Irish masterpiece directed by his son Ronan. It`s not a flashy comeback—it`s something far more powerful. A meditation on isolation, guilt, and the human connections we can`t outrun, no matter how far we go.
ANEMONE is now on Prime!
Barry Keoghan goes blonde and badass for CRIME 101! 🎬
The Irish star trades blows with Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo in this high-stakes crime thriller, playing Orman, a thief whose methods are as disturbing as they are effective. With Detective Lou Lubesnick (Ruffalo) closing in and rival criminal Davis (Hemsworth) in his way, this heist is about to get messy.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
When Colin Farrell had to choose between a guaranteed paycheck on a hit TV show and a one-in-a-million shot at Hollywood, everyone told him he was insane. His friends said don`t do it. His family couldn`t understand it. He did it anyway.
Now in BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER (in select UK/Ireland cinemas Oct 17, Netflix Oct 29), he plays a man who understands risk better than anyone. Because Farrell`s been there. He bet everything on himself when he had nothing, and that decision changed everything.
Sometimes the craziest move is the only one worth making. 🎬
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Andrew Scott`s hot streak continues 🔥
From the Hot Priest in FLEABAG to his heartbreaking turn in ALL OF US STRANGERS, he`s now bringing that signature intensity to BLUE MOON as composer Richard Rodgers.
The film hits theaters Friday, more at irishfilmtv.com.
Michael Fassbender is trading the big screen for Netflix royalty!
The Irish-German powerhouse is set to play Joe Kennedy Sr. in KENNEDY, an 8-episode drama diving deep into America`s most mythologized family. No release date yet, but with Fassbender leading, this one`s already on our watchlist. 👑
More at irishfilmtv.com.
🔥 The feud that stopped a nation.
SAIPAN brings the explosive 2002 World Cup confrontation between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy to the big screen—and it`s not about football glory, it`s about ego, standards, and two men whose rivalry became bigger than the game itself.
Watch the new trailer at irishfilmtv.com.
Pierce Brosnan is trading martinis for mountains.
The legendary Irish actor stars in the CLIFFHANGER reboot as Ray Cooper, a seasoned mountaineer running a luxury chalet in the Dolomites with his daughter.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Brendan Gleeson is bringing all the feels in H IS FOR HAWK 🎬🦅
Playing the beloved father in this beautiful 2025 drama based on Helen Macdonald`s bestselling memoir, Gleeson delivers a performance that`s both tender and powerful.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
