Back

Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story

Name: Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story
Start: 2025-04-16T19:00:00+01:00
End: 2025-04-16T21:30:00+01:00
Location: Irish Cultural Centre

General Admission

£10.00

Date and time

Wednesday 16th April 2025, 19:00 - 21:30

Location

Irish Cultural Centre, 5 Black's Road, London, Greater London, W6 9DT, United Kingdom

Description

Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story

A 93-year-old Irish writer Edna O’Brien recounts her controversial life, novels, love affairs, and stardom through personal journals read by actress Jessie Buckley, with perspectives from writers like Gabriel Byrne and Walter Mosley.

Directed By SINÉAD O’SHEA

Starring JESSIE BUCKLEY, GABRIEL BYRNE

1 HOUR 40MINS: CERT 12A

The ICC is delighted to present a special preview screening of the documentary The Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story, before its UK Premiere on 18 April in London’s West End. Edna O’Brien was the ICC most treasured patron from 1995 until her recent death in 2024.

This screening will be followed by a Q&A with the Director Sinéad O’Shea.

Back to listings

Wed 16 April 2025

Doors: 7pm; Starts: 7.30pm

Tickets: £10

Buy Tickets

Watch The Trailer: The Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story

More About Edna O’Brien:

In 1960, a young Irish woman named Edna O’Brien wrote The Country Girls, the first of a sexually-frank trilogy of novels. Though the books were banned in Ireland, O’Brien became an international literary sensation, gaining fame and notoriety through her marriage and acrimonious divorce from Ernest Gebler; publications in the New Yorker and the creation of screenplays for British and US cinema. She lived in London with her two sons where she hosted star-studded parties and conducted numerous love affairs. Her later work was inspired, at times controversially, by real life events.

This documentary portrait, completed shortly before her death last year, features extracts from her journals (read with verve by Jessie Buckley), contributions from Gabriel Byrne, Anne Enright and other luminaries, and a remarkable final interview with Edna, now aged 93 as she reflects with dignity and candour on her extraordinary life.

(Notes by Sunniva O’Flynn, Irish Film Institute – Dublin).

What The Press Say About ‘The Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story’.

“One of Ireland’s most important novelists and a woman of fierce intelligence and bravery is celebrated in Sinéad O’Shea’s thoroughly enjoyable documentary – The film speaks to Walter Mosley, Anne Enright and Andrew O’Hagan who talk insightfully about her work, and perhaps most touchingly of all with her sons Carlo and Sasha Gébler. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging study”. Peter Bradshaw The Guardian

Read Full Guardian Review Here

“This rigorously researched film has much to say about the writing… But, as you might expect with a study of such a figure, Blue Road is more remarkable for its consideration of how an extraordinary life was lived”. The Irish Times

Read Full Review Here

“O’Shea has created a documentary that proclaims how important O’Brien was in the second half of the twentieth century in Ireland. This film will further her reputation and help to consolidate her position as a writer and as a citizen of the first rank even if official Ireland was incapable of perceiving it for much of her life”. Nomoreworkhorse.com

Read Full Review Here

Ask a question Terms and conditions

Irish Cultural Centre - Ticket Refund Policy

Last Updated: Jan 2025

1. Introduction

At the Irish Cultural Centre Hammersmith, we are committed to providing an exceptional cultural experience to our patrons. We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise that could prevent you from attending an event for which you have purchased tickets. This Refund Policy outlines our guidelines for ticket refunds and exchanges.

2. Eligibility for Refunds

2.1 Cancelled Events: In the event that a scheduled event is cancelled by the Irish Cultural Centre Hammersmith, you will be entitled to a full refund of the ticket price, including any service fees.

2.2 Rescheduled Events: If an event is rescheduled to a different date, your ticket will be valid for the rescheduled date. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled event, you may request a refund.

2.3 Postponed Events: If an event is postponed, and the new date is not announced immediately, your ticket will be valid for the rescheduled date once it is confirmed. If you cannot attend the rescheduled date, you may request a refund.

2.4 Change of Programme or Venue: We reserve the right to make changes to the program or venue. In such cases, we will make reasonable efforts to inform ticket holders of any changes. Tickets will remain valid for the modified event, but if you cannot attend due to the changes, you may request a refund.

3. Refund Requests

3.1 Refund Deadline: Refund requests must be submitted within 7 days of the date of the event. Requests received after this period will not be considered.

3.2 How to Request a Refund: To request a refund, please contact our Box Office. Please provide your name, order number, event details, and the reason for your refund request.

4. Refund Process

4.1 Processing Time: Refunds will be processed within 3-5 business days after receiving a valid refund request.

4.2 Refund Method: Refunds will be issued using the same payment method used for the original purchase. If the event was cancelled, refunds will include the full ticket price, including service fees.

5. No-Refund Exceptions

5.1 Late Arrival: We strongly recommend arriving at the event on time. Late arrival may result in the forfeiture of your ticket without refund.

5.2 Personal Reasons: Refunds will not be provided for tickets that cannot be used due to personal reasons, such as illness or travel conflicts.

5.3 Lost or Stolen Tickets: We are not responsible for lost or stolen tickets. Please keep your tickets in a safe place.

6. Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about our refund policy or wish to request a refund, please contact our Box Office at:

Email: events@irishculturalcentre.co.uk

Phone: 02085638232

We reserve the right to update this refund policy as needed. Please check our website or contact our Box Office for the most up-to-date information.

7. Legal Disclaimer

This refund policy is subject to UK law and regulations. The Irish Cultural Centre Hammersmith reserves the right to modify this policy at any time without prior notice.

8. Force Majeure

8.1 Force Majeure Events:

The Irish Cultural Centre is not liable for any cancellations or changes to events caused by situations beyond our control, such as natural disasters, strikes, war, terrorism, or government restrictions. In such cases, the refund policy will still apply, but refunds may be processed at the discretion of the Centre.

9. Refunds for Charitable Events

9.1 Charitable or Fundraising Events:

For events that are fundraising for specific causes, we ask that you consider donating your ticket if you are unable to attend. Refunds may still be possible in cases of event cancellation or rescheduling.

10. Acknowledgement of Policy

10.1 Agreement to Refund Policy:

By purchasing a ticket, you acknowledge and agree to abide by the terms of this Refund Policy. If you do not agree to the terms, please contact the Box Office prior to purchasing your ticket for clarification.