The McGurk’s Bar Tragedy will feature at Waterfront Hall 14-16 November 2026.

Written by award-winning playwright, Martin Lynch, The McGurk's Bar Tragedy is one of the greatest Belfast stories NEVER told. 15 innocent victims were killed in a no-warning bomb in December 1971, the biggest loss of life in Belfast throughout the Troubles.

Lynch, who was born and brought up 2 streets from McGurk’s, concentrates on the incredible individual stories of those killed, including 2 young teenagers. The playwright met all the families and has included their heart-breaking stories in the play.

Act 1 is set in the early part of the evening where customers, are enjoying a Saturday night drink. The craic is mighty as Lynch’s dockland humour and storytelling is given full reign among the bar patrons including 4 dockers and 2 women. Concurrently, the play also follows the UVF gang as they meet up and plan the bomb, raising the tension of what is to follow.

Seven professional actors, led by Paddy Jenkins (May McFettridge’s side-kick) and Conor Grimes (Fireball in The History Of The Troubles (accordin’ to my Da), will lead the 7-strong cast. 30 community actors from North Belfast will add a powerful, epic quality to the production. Matthew McElhinney (Stones In His Pockets, The Blind Fiddler), directs.