Katriona O’Sullivan’s powerful story of hope
Wednesday was a day that will stay with us for a very long time. Thanks to our ability to respond quickly, and the flexibility of our Special Situations Fund, basis.point were honoured to partner with Dr Katriona O’Sullivan and the Gate Theatre to live stream a special performance of POOR to schools nationwide.
The basis.point crew joined on stage by Chairperson Eoin Fitzgerald, Patron Damien McKelvey with author Katriona O’Sullivan, stage adaptor, Sonya Kelly, Director RóisÃn McBrinn and Colm O’Callaghan CEO Gate Theatre
Katriona’s personal story POOR is political theatre at its most urgent, asking difficult questions about hope, help, and what it means to build a society that doesn’t leave people behind.
More than 23,000 students, from over 330 schools across 29 counties, watched together.
Classrooms were deeply engaged, many students visibly moved, and the post show conversation with Katriona resonated just as strongly.
Messages poured in from teachers and students across the country even from Arranmore Island sharing how impactful the experience had been.
The day’s significance lay not only in its scale, but in its alignment with our mission. Katriona’s journey from poverty to resilience to hope speaks directly to why we exist: breaking the cycle of poverty through education. Her story highlights a simple but powerful truth: sometimes a single act of kindness, from one extraordinary person, can change the course of a life.
Katriona O’Sullivan’s primary school teacher, Mrs Arkinson, who showed such kindness to Katriona
One recurring thread runs through her story: the kindness, generosity, and humanity of a small number of extraordinary people who recognised her potential, even in her darkest moments. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to change a life.
And sometimes, a shared moment like thousands of students watching POOR together can spark belief in their own possibility.
This initiative reflects what’s achievable when purpose and partnership come together. It also fulfilled a central goal of the Gate Theatre’s The Open Gate vision: making exceptional theatre accessible to all young people.
Stories like this matter. We’re honoured to help bring Katriona O’Sullivan’s powerful work into classrooms across Ireland, shining a light on the tough realities many young people face, while celebrating the hope, resilience, and limitless potential that can flourish with the right support.
Our thanks go to Katriona for her courage and authenticity; to the Gate Theatre for opening its doors wide; to our Patrons and Supporters whose generosity made this possible; and to every student and teacher who joined us.
This is the power of storytelling.
This is the power of community.
And this is what happens when we come together with purpose.
In bringing Katriona’s deeply personal story in to the classroom we wanted to give young people the catalyst to consider and discuss with their teachers their own circumstances and the struggles they or their peers may be experiencing. Telling her deeply painful yet ultimately uplifting story has the potential to inspire and shape future generations.
