Pygmalion 26 is an Irish-language translation of GB Shaw’s classic Pygmalion.

Pygmalion 26 deals with social class and its identification through accent, taking that theme and running it through Shaw’s prism of class to address the question of who can call themselves a native Irish speaker.

Pygmalion 26 is a contemporary retelling of the George Bernard Shaw political comedy, now set in the thriving Urban Belfast Gaeltacht. This production explores what our language is, where it is going and who it ultimately belongs to. Who can say in 2026 that they are a native speaker and if or why that matters?

English language surtitles
If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact failteachas@antaibhdhearc.ie
Age guidance: 12A.

This production and tour are funded by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, with additional funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Photo courtesy Rachel McCarthy.

Belfast-based Aisling Ghéar Theatre Company will take a major new Irish-language adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, on tour this autumn, across seven venues Ireland wide. The performance will visit An Taibhdhearc, Galway during 22–24 October 2026, as part of the tour. Pygmalion will explore how language, accent and cultural belonging shape identity, asking urgent questions about who can claim ownership of the Irish language in modern society. The production will see a revisiting of my fair lady as a modern-day Irish language production based in a modern Belfast City. Set in Belfast during Oireachtas na Samhna 2026, the autumn tour has already visited Cork, and will visit Mullingar, Waterford, Belfast, Donegal and Dublin during October and November.