What a superb production of Sebastian Barry’s Steward of Christendom at the Gate Theatre. This production commemorates the first staging of the award winning play twenty five years ago. The play introduces us to former Dublin Metropolitan Police Chief Inspector, the Catholic Thomas Dunne in 1930s Ireland.

A fervent loyalist, Thomas regrets being cast off from the British Empire he served so faithfully who lives somewhat uneasily in The Irish Free State.

Thomas, alone now at the end of his life is in a Baltinglass nursing home, where he is visited by the shadows of those he loved and lost.

It’s a fascinating and poignant look, not only at the Castle Catholic, but on family dynamics, dementia, madness and growing old.

Owen Roe as Dunne is riveting and I would recommend this play for his performance alone.

The Steward of Christendom runs at the Gate, Dublin until September 3rd.