With the film of Dancing At Lughnasa currently on release and his adaptation of Uncle Vanya still playing at The Gate, Brian Friel's work is in no danger of neglect. And there's more to come: next year is the playwright's 70th birthday, and to celebrate it, the Abbey, Gate, Lyric and Druid theatres will bestaging new productions of his major plays.

Many of the details of this "Friel Festival", which is being produced by Noel Pearson, have yet to be finalised, but the Abbey's programme of plays has been confirmed: on the main stage, Dancing At Lughnasa, directed by Patrick Mason, and Freedom Of The City, directed by Conall Morrison. Living Quarters will be directed by Jason Byrne at the Peacock, to be followed by Making History, directed by Brian Brady. The Gate has chosen Aristocrats and Faithhealer, with directors still to be confirmed. There will also be a series of lectures and discussions on aspects of Friel's work, and a special souvenir programme will be published.