THE WIND COMING OVER THE SEA

Henry and Jane are struggling to keep their small business afloat in famine-ravaged Ireland. But finally, they make the difficult decision to leave everything behind, and start a new life in Canada. Henry goes ahead to secure work, while Jane stays home with their two young children. For a year, the lovers send long, yearning letters across the sea. Eventually, Jane too sets out for the new world, Henry’s letters tied in a ribbon at her heart.

Packed with traditional ballads and live Irish folk music, this new work by renowned Irish-Canadian author Emma Donoghue takes an unflinching look at an ongoing piece of Canada’s story: the promise and peril of emigration.

Copyright photo Lyon Smith