Remarks by Governor Makhlouf at the launch of the commemorative coin honouring Seán O’Casey, Abbey Theatre, Dublin

Good morning everyone.

It is a pleasure to join you today at the Abbey Theatre. We are here, of course, to launch a commemorative coin to honour Seán O’Casey, one of Ireland’s most important literary figures, and one whose voice continues to resonate profoundly, both in Ireland and internationally. I am delighted to welcome Shivaun O’Casey, Seán O’Casey’s daughter. It is particularly fitting to mark this occasion in her presence.

Thank you to the Abbey Theatre for hosting us here today, a place that is so closely associated with the person whose life and work we are here to celebrate.

Commemorative coins are tangible reminders of the individuals and ideas that have shaped our society, and each coin tells a story. Some commemorate moments of political transformation while others celebrate artistic or intellectual achievement. Today’s coin tells the story of a writer who gave voice to the lives, struggles and dignity of ordinary people, and in doing so transformed Irish theatre.

Seán O’Casey’s work was rooted deeply in Dublin, in its streets, its tenements, and in the lived experience of its people. He did not merely observe society, he examined it, questioned it, and held it up to scrutiny. His plays explored the intersection of politics, identity, poverty and humanity, often with a combination of realism, compassion and sharp wit.

It is especially fitting that we are gathered here at the Abbey Theatre. O’Casey’s relationship with this institution was central to his career. This was the stage on which his most important works were first performed, and where his voice helped shape the identity of the national theatre itself.

2026 marks 100 years since the premiere of The Plough and the Stars, a play that remains one of his most powerful and enduring works. When it was first performed here in 1926, it provoked outrage and unrest among audiences. The riots that accompanied its early performances reflected the intensity of feeling surrounding the events it depicted and the questions it raised about national identity, sacrifice and the human cost of political struggle. O’Casey understood more than most that art demands courage. As he wrote, “The artist’s life is to be a life of daring”.

Yet today, that same play is rightly regarded as a masterpiece, an essential part of our understanding of Irish history, and of Irish theatre. Its return to the Abbey Theatre reminds us of the enduring relevance of O’Casey’s work. The questions he posed remain meaningful. His characters remain recognisable. And his insights into human nature and society continue to resonate.

This ability to challenge, to provoke and to endure is the hallmark of great art.

Seán O’Casey understood that theatre was not simply entertainment. It was a way of seeing ourselves more clearly. It was a means of exploring uncomfortable truths and of deepening our understanding of one another. His work captured not only the historical moment in which he lived, but also the universal experiences of hope, loss, resilience and dignity.

In this way, his legacy extends far beyond the stage. He helped shape how Ireland saw itself, and how it was seen by the world.

Those who knew him best also remember the person behind the playwright. Shivaun O’Casey has spoken warmly of her father’s imagination and spirit, recalling how he would turn ordinary moments into adventures for his children. It is a reminder that the creativity we celebrate today was not confined to the stage, but it was part of how he lived his life.

Before I conclude, I would like to thank the many people who have helped to make today’s event possible. I want to acknowledge the Central Bank’s Currency Centre team, whose dedication and expertise ensure the continued success of the collector coin programme. Thank you also to our colleagues that are here with us today from the Royal Dutch Mint as well as the designer of this commemorative coin, PJ Lynch. Finally, I would also like to recognise the important contribution of the Numismatic Advisory Panel, whose guidance helps shape the themes and subjects we commemorate.

Seán O’Casey once transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary through the power of his words. He did not write to comfort but rather to confront. Today, we honour him with this coin, a small object, but one that carries lasting meaning.

He may well have viewed such recognition with characteristic wit and scepticism. But I hope he would also recognise it as an expression of gratitude for the stories he told, the truths he revealed, and the enduring legacy he left behind.

It is a privilege to honour him today.

Thank you.