A Celebration of Brendan Behan’s Legacy: Plaque Unveiled as Performers Take Centre Stage

Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Ray McAdam Unveils Plaque to Brendan Behan

A Celebration of Brendan Behan’s Legacy: Plaque Unveiled as Performers Take Centre Stage

Behan Square hosted a day of powerful stories, music and memories as the site of the legendary author's childhood home was commemorated in Dublin

Dublin City Council and Fighting Words were honoured to welcome an extraordinary lineup of performers and readers, including Theo Dorgan, Roddy Doyle, Glen Hansard, Des Geraghty, Jack Lynch, Josh O’Keefe, and Peter Sheridan at the special celebration on Saturday, 7 February 2026.

The day was made even more special as we were joined by Brendan Behan's grandsons Rupert and Guy Walker, as well as a large crowd of friends, neighbours, Behan scholars and admirers of Behan's work. Thirteen members of Write Club, the Fighting Words community of teen writers, wrote and performed original works inspired by Dublin, showcasing the next generation of literary talent and two films about Behan's life, work and legacy were shown.

Glen Hansard performing "The Auld Triangle"

New Plaque Unveiled

The celebration began with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at Brendan Behan’s former home on Russell Street. Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam, led the ceremony, reflecting on Behan’s impact: “Brendan Behan was a fearless, unmistakably Dublin writer, a man who took the language of the streets and proved it belonged on the page and on the stage. His work gave voice to lived experience and working-class Dublin, with all its wit, tenderness, and hard truth. It is deeply fitting that we honour him here, where new generations are finding their own voices.”

Cllr Donna Cooney, Chair of the Dublin City Council Commemorations and Naming Committee, shared: “The Commemorative Plaques Scheme allows the City to formally recognise those who have made a lasting impact on Dublin’s cultural life. Brendan Behan’s legacy is one we are proud to celebrate, and we encourage the public to suggest other figures and events for commemoration.”

The outdoor event featured powerful readings by Theo Dorgan, Des Geraghty, and Peter Sheridan, culminating in a rousing performance of “The Auld Triangle” by Glen Hansard and Josh O’Keefe.

Poet Theo Dorgan

Behan's Work, Inspiration and Story Slam!

Inside the Fighting Words centre, the celebration continued with readings, performances and remarks by Roddy Doyle ("Borstal Boy"), Jack Lynch (" A Turn For a Neighbour"), Theo Dorgan ("Uaigneas") Des Geraghty ("The Captains and the Kings" and "A Jackeen Laments the Blaskets") and Dr Colbert Kearney of UCD spoke about Behan’s time on Russell Street and the local inspirations for his writing.

In addition, the day featured a special edition of Story Slam, our open mic series for young people. Thirteen writers from Write Club performed their newly created works inspired by Dublin and Brendan Behan.

Story Slam performers

Films Celebrating Behan's Life and Work

The event also included screenings of two films celebrating Brendan Behan: The Spirit of Brendan Behan by Stephen Dwoskin and The Laughing Boy by Alan Gilsenan.

The Spirit of Brendan Behan, introduced by Jack Lynch, is short film by Stephen Dwoskin. The film is 30-minute work exploring Behan's life and writing through three performers reciting his words in Dublin in 1990, capturing his harsh, powerful world. In addition to Jack Lynch, the film features Ger Ryan and Joe Savino.

In The Laughing Boy, the common struggle for liberty and democracy in two countries, Ireland and Greece, is traced by Irish poet Theo Dorgan in a haunting film by Alan Gilsenan. It also features the legendary singer Maria Farantouri and a beautiful score from Eleni Karaindrou. The poem "The Laughing Boy" was written by the young Brendan Behan to honour the Irish revolutionary hero Michael Collins, becomes to Yelasto Paidi - written by the great Mikis Theodorakis - the imperishable anthem of the resistance against the Greek military junta of the early 1970's.

Fighting Words co-founder Roddy Doyle

Behan's Enduring Legacy

Proudly based in Behan Square since opening in 2009, we were delighted to host this celebration, marking a permanent tribute to Brendan Behan’s enduring legacy in Dublin. It was a truly magnificent day, filled with creativity and inspiration and fittingly held just two days before what would have been Brendan’s 103rd birthday!

Fighting Words is grateful for the support and partnership of Dublin City Council for this event.

Story Slam is supported by the Amazon Literary Partnership