Mother of All the Behans

Following sold-out performances last summer, Mother of All the Behans, starring Imelda May, will make a highly anticipated return to The Everyman in August 2025.

At once humorous and heartrending, Mother of All the Behans is steeped in Irish culture and promises to be a highly entertaining evening.

In this masterfully executed one-woman show, Imelda May brings to life the remarkable story of the witty raconteur, singer and rebel Kathleen Behan.

Inspired by songs and stories passed down through generations, May’s performance will take you on a journey through Kathleen’s early years living in an orphanage and later, her active involvement in Dublin’s fight against British rule. Uncover vivid retellings of her experience as a republican during the Easter Rising, the War of Independence and the Civil War, along with personal anecdotes of living as a working-class family in Dublin.

A collection of well-known tunes features amongst the stories, including ‘Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye’, ’The Auld Alarm Clock’, ’The Auld Triangle’ and ‘Molly Malone’, all conveyed through May’s iconic, emotive voice and accompanied by Seán Gilligan on piano.

From the book by Brian Behan, the show is adapted and directed for the stage by Peter Sheridan with additional material by Rosaleen Linehan.