As part of the National Archives’ Census 1926 Public Programme, we are pleased to present The Good Luck Club, a major new immersive theatre production created by ANU Productions to mark the centenary of the 1926 Census.
Commissioned by the National Archives, The Good Luck Club will be staged inside our historic Bishop Street building from 27 May to 14 June 2026, marking the first time a theatrical performance has ever been performed within the archive. This unique collaboration invites audiences to experience the building in an entirely new way, moving through rarely accessed spaces and encountering performances inspired by real individuals recorded in the 1926 Census.
Written and directed by Louise Lowe, with design and scenography by Owen Boss, the production draws on archival testimony and the cultural phenomenon of the Irish Hospitals’ Sweepstake — a defining feature of early 20th‑century Ireland. Through intimate encounters and richly detailed environments, The Good Luck Club explores themes of chance, aspiration and survival in a country finding its footing in the aftermath of independence.
The ensemble cast includes Ghaliah Conroy, John Cronin, Libby Conway Dunne, Maeve Fitzgerald, Oliver Flitcroft, Jack Hassett, Pattie Maguire, Ciara Molloy and Jamie O’Neill, supported by a creative team featuring Rob Moloney (Composer), Mae Leay (Costume Designer), Sinéad Wallace (Lighting Designer) and Aidah Sama (Sound Designer).
Speaking about the production, Orlaith McBride, Director of the National Archives, said:
“The release of the 1926 Census is a hugely significant moment in the history of Ireland. As the first census taken after independence, it reveals for the first time how people in Ireland lived, worked and worshipped. We’re delighted to have commissioned ANU Productions to mark this release and celebrate the hugely personal stories it contains. It’s a special moment for us to welcome such an internationally acclaimed company inside the National Archives building to bring The Good Luck Club to life, and to bring the 1926 Census to life for a whole new audience.”
Co‑Directors of ANU Productions, Owen Boss and Louise Lowe, added:
“It has been a privilege for ANU to be invited to create this commissioned, off‑site performance inside the National Archives of Ireland as part of their year‑long commemorative programme. The building is an active custodian of Ireland’s archival history, and that awareness informs all decisions we make — from how audiences will move through the space to how the census records inform the performance. The Good Luck Club celebrates our ongoing, rich dialogue with archivists as part of all our work, and the process has been very exciting for us to create. We can’t wait to welcome audiences for the first time into the Archives; a space that is usually quiet and observational, and ask them to encounter it in a new way.”
Renowned for their bold, immersive approach, ANU Productions have earned international acclaim for work that blends performance, history and site‑specific storytelling. With The Good Luck Club, ANU once again transforms a culturally significant space into a living, breathing performance environment, offering audiences a rare opportunity to engage with Ireland’s archival heritage in a deeply personal way.
This production forms a key part of the National Archives’ year‑long programme marking the release of the 1926 Census — a landmark moment that opens more than 700,000 household returns to the public for the first time. Through partnerships such as this, the National Archives continues its commitment to making Ireland’s documentary heritage accessible, relevant and resonant for all.
The Good Luck Club
Dates: 27 May – 14 June 2026
Venue: The National Archives of Ireland, Bishop Street, Dublin 8
Tickets: Available at anuproductions.ie