YouthAction NI was proud to welcome Gold Medal Mary,a powerful and uplifting new play by Maire Campbell, to the stage at The MAC on 28 April 2026. Following a hugely successful run at the Rainbow Theatre, the production brought the remarkable story of Mary Peters to a wider audience in Belfast.
The play explores the extraordinary early life of Lady MaryPeters, charting her journey from a determined young girl to an Olympic goldmedallist and one of Northern Ireland’s most celebrated sporting figures. Withheart, humour and honesty, Gold Medal Mary shines a light on theresilience, ambition and perseverance that defined her path to success.
Audiences were taken on an emotional and inspiring journey,reflecting on the challenges Mary faced and the strength it took to overcomethem. The production resonated strongly with young people in particular,highlighting the importance of self-belief, dedication and striving forexcellence; values that sit at the core of YouthAction NI’s work.
A special highlight of the evening was an engaging post-showQ&A session, where attendees had the unique opportunity to hear directlyfrom Lady Mary Peters herself. Her reflections offered powerful insights intoher life, legacy and the lessons she hopes future generations will carryforward.
Events like Gold Medal Mary demonstrate the power ofstorytelling to inspire and connect communities. YouthAction NI is committed tocreating opportunities for young people to engage with stories that motivate,empower and encourage them to reach their full potential.
We want to wish a huge thank you to our sponsors includingGary Moore and The Mary Peters Trust, and to everyone who donated on theevening!
