Imelda May brings The Mother of All The Behans to Belfast for first time this August

Imelda May, the renowned Dublin-born musician and multi-talented artist, is set to bring her acclaimed one-woman show, The Mother of All The Behans, to Belfast for the first time this August. The show, which has enjoyed two sell-out seasons in Dublin, casts May in the role of Kathleen Behan—the fiery, resilient matriarch and mother of famous Irish writers Brendan, Brian, and Dominic Behan. The production, adapted and directed by Peter Sheridan from Brian Behan’s memoir, presents an intimate and vibrant portrait of Kathleen’s extraordinary life marked by activism, motherhood, love, and enduring hardship.

May’s portrayal of Kathleen Behan captures the essence of a woman who was not only a force of nature in her own right but also an unsung hero in Irish social and political history. Kathleen’s life journey included dramatic episodes such as being placed in an orphanage at a young age, widowhood during the great influenza epidemic while pregnant, and homelessness with seven children. Despite these challenges, Kathleen’s indomitable spirit and wit shone through—a quality May feels personally connected to, reflecting on her own mother and grandmother’s resilience. The performance beautifully intertwines song and story, highlighting Kathleen’s vast repertoire of traditional Irish songs she preserved and performed into her old age, a facet often overshadowed in her legacy.

Following critical acclaim for its engaging storytelling and musical depth, the show promises Belfast audiences an evening rich with laughter, tears, and music. May, who recently supported Sting on his Forest Live UK tour, emphasises her affection for Belfast, expressing anticipation for the performances and the lively local post-show scene. The Mother of All The Behans will run at the Grand Opera House from August 18 to 23, with prior showings in other Irish venues including the Everyman Theatre Cork, where it has similarly been met with praise for its heartfelt depiction of Irish cultural and family history.

Imelda May’s artistic journey spans much beyond the stage. Known initially for her rockabilly and jazz-infused music career, she has collaborated with eminent artists such as Bono, Rod Stewart, and Van Morrison, and expanded her creative horizons into television and film. Recent ventures include her roles in films like the sea shanty sequel Fisherman’s Friends: One and All and forthcoming releases with Pierce Brosnan and others slated for 2025. Parallel to her theatrical ventures, May dedicates significant energy to spotlighting overlooked Irish women and cultural figures, exemplified by her documentary Lily and Lolly Yeats: The Forgotten Yeats Sisters. She is also preparing a new documentary exploring Irish language and song, scheduled for autumn release, and plans to return to the recording studio next year.

Balancing these diverse projects, May credits art and storytelling as essential sources of healing and connection, reflecting a lifelong passion that began in her early teens in Dublin’s Liberties. Always creatively restless, she embraces each new venture as part of her continuous journey in celebrating and preserving Irish heritage through music, story, and performance.

The Mother of All The Behans returns to the stage this summer, providing audiences with a poignant and powerful look at a remarkable woman whose stories might otherwise have been lost to history.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative is based on a press release announcing Imelda May’s upcoming performance in Belfast from August 18 to 23, 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is February 9, 2023, when Imelda May announced her role in the play. ([rte.ie](https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2023/0209/1355717-imelda-may-terrified-and-thrilled-by-theatre-debut/?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated information about the Belfast performances, justifying a higher freshness score. However, the core content about the play and its themes has been previously published, indicating some recycled material. The report is not republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The article includes updated data about the Belfast performances, justifying a higher freshness score but should still be flagged for recycling older material.

Quotes check

Score:
9

Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from Imelda May regarding her excitement for the Belfast performances. These quotes appear to be original and have not been found in earlier material. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative originates from The Irish News, a reputable organisation. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high reliability score. The person mentioned, Imelda May, is a well-known public figure with a verifiable presence.

Plausability check

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative makes a time-sensitive claim about Imelda May’s upcoming performances in Belfast from August 18 to 23, 2025. This claim is corroborated by other reputable outlets, including Hotpress, which reported on the addition of new shows in June 2023. ([hotpress.com](https://www.hotpress.com/culture/mother-of-all-the-behans-production-starring-imelda-may-adds-7-new-shows-22976109?utm_source=openai)) The report includes specific factual anchors, such as dates and locations, enhancing its credibility. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic, and the structure is focused on the claim without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is appropriate for a press release, and no unusual language or tone inconsistencies are noted.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is based on a press release announcing Imelda May’s upcoming performances in Belfast, with updated information justifying a higher freshness score. The quotes appear original, and the source is reputable. The claims are corroborated by other reputable outlets, and the language and tone are appropriate. No significant credibility risks are identified.