Droichead Arts Centre: Jan-Aug Programme 2024

www.angloprinters.ie sales@angloprinters.ie (041) 983 - 5000

EVENTS AT A GLANCE JANUARY

FEBRUARY

Jan 4-20

To Shape and To Form

Visual Arts

Feb 2

Night Moves at Droichead | Greenshine

Late Night Programme

Jan 13

Drogheda Zine Fair

Visual Arts

Feb 3-Mar 2

First Solo | Yellow-Pink and Blue

Visual Arts

Jan 18

Ciaran Hodgers Solastalgia Launch and Reading

Literature

Feb 6

The Land of a Hundred Little Hills | Ceol Connected

Jan 19

Jonathan Roozeman & Varvara Nepomnyashchaya

Jan 19

Night Tones at Droichead

Jan 20

The Art of Letting Go

Jan 23

Anatomy of a Fall

Jan 25

Nuala Moore | Limitless Book Launch

Jan 27

Droichead Online BookClub | Nora by Nuala O'Connor

Jan 27

Slow Sessions

Jan 27

DCM

Family

Feb 9-10

Belfast Girls | An Táin/Quintessence

Theatre Club

Late Night Programme

Feb 9

Night Moves | Trad Trail

Late Night Programme

First Fortnight

Feb 10

Slow Sessions

Music

Film Club

Feb 10

Port On Tour

Music

Feb 12-17

Drinking Habits 2 (Caught In The Act) | Aisteori na Boinne

Literature Literature

Feb 16

Night Moves | In Conversation with Scott McCloud

Music

Feb 19

Tim Horton

Young Producers Programme

Community & Engagement

Feb 20

Film

Jan 30

Film

Silver Screen

Feb 20

The Old Oak

Jan 30

Fallen Leaves

Film Club

Feb 23-24

Prickly | Produced by dlr Mill in association with Backstage and Droichead

Feb 24

Slow Sessions

Feb 24 26 Feb – 2 Mar

Droichead Online BookClub | The Dirt Island by Donal Ryan Lovers (Winners and Losers) | St Brigid’s Drama Group

Theatre Late Night Programme DCM Silver Screen Film Club Theatre Club Music Literature Theatre

EVENTS AT A GLANCE MARCH 1

Night Moves at McHughs | The Bonk & Ultan Conlon

2

Irish Baroque Orchestra

7-16

LMETB Robert Ballagh Art Competition

7

Late Night Programme

29

Night Tones at Droichead

30

Droichead Online BookClub | Swimming in the Dark

by Tomasz Jedrowski

Late Night Programme Literature

APRIL

DCM Visual Arts

2

Vanbrugh and Friends

Bellow | Brokentalkers

Theatre Club

6

Slow Sessions

8

Night Moves at Droichead | Miki Berenyi & Deb Googe

Late Night Programme

6

Night Moves at McHughs | DSM IV

9

Slow Sessions

Music

9

Past Lives

9/10

Comedy Festival

16-20

Secondary Cause of Death | Duleek Drama Players

18

PORT on Tour | Solstice Arts Centre

19

Night Moves in East Meath | The Cacks & Jane Willow

Visual Arts

20

Slow Sessions

Music

Music

20

PORT on Tour | Ramor Theatre

Music

Late Night Programme

23

Scrapper

Music

26

Night Moves | Trad Trail

Theatre Club

26

Jump Cuts Youth Film Festival

15

Night Moves | Trad Trail

Comedy Late Night Programme Community & Engagement

17

St. Patrick’s Day Project

21 Mar – 13 Apr

St Mary’s Diocesan Photography Club

21

Sean McCluskey with Band

22

Night Moves in East Meath | The Cacks & Sive

23

Slow Sessions

23

The Hare | Once off Productions

25 Mar – 6 Apr

DYT Takeover

Theatre

27

29

PORT on Tour | An Táin Arts Centre

Music

27 Apr – 22 Jun

Droichead Online BookClub | The Visitors by Jane Harrison Assemble, Transform, Transmute | Laura Gramzow, Roger Hudson, and Emma Ray

DCM Music Late Night Programme Film Club Theatre Music Late Night Programme

Film Club Late Night Programme Community & Engagement Literature Visual Arts

EVENTS AT A GLANCE JUNE

27

PORT on Tour | Séamus Ennis Arts Centre

Music

27

Pilgrim St.

Music

1

Slow Sessions

30

Film

Silver Screen

9

Genevieve Noone School of Drama

30

Nobody Has to Know

Film Club

MAY

Music

10-14

EIRE 32/XNTHONY

Family Community & Engagement

15

Slow Sessions

Music

Late Night Programme

16

The Ulysses Project

Film

3

Night Moves at Droichead | Lisa Lambe

4

Slow Sessions

Music

21

Masterclass | Brokentalkers

4-5

Drogheda Arts Festival

Festival

28

Little Women | Chapterhouse

11

Party Scene | THISISPOPBABY

Theatre Club

29

Slow Sessions

14

Lies We Tell

Film Club

29

Droichead Online BookClub

16

Flook with special guest Patsy Reid

17

DkIT Music Showcase

Music

6 Jul - 17 Aug From Life | Richard Moore

18

Slow Sessions

Music

11

Beauty and the Beast | Chapterhouse

23-25

Little Duke Theatre

Family

13

Slow Sessions

Music

25

Droichead Online BookClub | Leonard and Hungry Paul by Ronán Hession

Literature

27

Slow Sessions

Music

28

Film

28

Typist/Artist/Pirate King

Outdoor Theatre Music Literature

JULY

Music Network

Visual Arts Outdoor Theatre

AUGUST

Silver Screen Film Club

Theatre Club

9-11

Boyne Valley International Film Festival

Film

WELCOME Welcome to our spring/summer programme 2024. We hope you enjoy this new season of work, with old favourites such as our theatre and film clubs, and productions in our venue and offsite as well as new music, new work and new artists. We continue to support artists and engage with communities and audiences: as per our strategy 2022 - 2026.

BOOKING FREE ONLINE BOOKING

OPENING HOURS

Tickets may be purchased online up to 4.00pm on the day of the performance. You will receive a confirmation email. No booking charge applies online.

Tue to Sat. Reopens 30 mins before event on performance nights.

www.droichead.com

BY TELEPHONE

All tickets booked via phone and in person at our Box Office are subject to €1 booking fee per ticket.

CONCESSION TICKETS

Concession rate tickets are available on selected shows and apply to senior citizens (over 65), students, children, people with additional needs and those unwaged. To avail of concession appropriate ID is required.

Box Office: 10am - 4pm ACCESS

Droichead Arts Centre, Stockwell Street is a fully accessible venue with adapted toilet and lift access to the theatre and gallery.

Please inform us by phone at the time of booking if you have any additional requirements or require wheelchair spaces in the theatre.

Barlow House is also fully accessible.

PARKING

GROUP BOOKINGS

For night time performances, we suggest parking in the Town Centre Shopping Centre on Dyer Street. This carpark remains open until 12.30am every night. Please note there is an hourly charge for this carpark.

TICKET COLLECTIONS

LATECOMERS

PAYMENT

REFUNDS

Ticket discounts are available on selected shows for groups of 10 or more. Please contact box office to enquire.

E-Tickets will be checked on arrival via smart phone or printed at home version.

Payment is by card/cash at the box office.

Latecomers will not be admitted until a suitable break in the performance and at the discretion of management.

We regret that tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded after purchase.

VISUAL ARTS TO SHAPE AND TO FORM

SUZANNE CARROLL, GINA PETREA, EMMA RAY | CURATED BY DOROTHY SMITH

Images (left to right) by Emma Ray, Gina Petrea, Suzanne Carroll

THU 4 JAN – SAT 20 JAN

All three artists in this exhibition have shaped and formed their own vision and language using organic and natural shapes and images as their starting points. Suzanne Carroll’s work in the Cooley mountains and her experimentation with materials, processes and colour - painting, printing, layering, cutting – have resulted in semi abstract compositions in which the tension between the interplay of her source materials and processes are evident.

Emma Ray’s detailed skillfull oil paintings draw attention to and explores with clarity the fore shore that is so familiar to us yet with which we seldom give the time to fully consider. An assiduous keeper of notebooks Gina Petrea’s diverse practise includes working with found building site materials and myriad source material. In Conversation with the artists facilitated by Dorothy Smith, Sat 20 Jan, 3.45pm.

www.droichead.com

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VISUAL ARTS FIRST SOLO AWARD 2024

JENNY SLATER | YELLOW-PINK AND BLUE | CURATED BY DOROTHY SMITH SAT 3 FEB – SAT 2 MAR

Jenny Slater’s work tells stories; personal, historical, fictional.

Her multi media works use photography, sculpture, print and installation to explore ordinary daily experiences, motherhood, everyday losses and the somewhat surreal dramas of life as a parenting adult.

Jenny likes to work with ephemeral objects, low spec and overlooked materials; pot scrubs as painting tools, cleaning gloves for sculptures. These materials link to stories told to her by her parents regarding their experiences as migrants in London in the early 1980s.

Frequently using her mobile phone to take images and interspersing them with old family photographs Jenny endeavours to capture transient moments, connecting past to present.

Our First Solo Award offers support and funding at a key point in the careers of professional visual artists in the North East region who have yet to present a solo show.

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Little Dress

VISUAL ARTS LMETB ROBERT BALLAGH ART COMPETITION

VISION | ST MARY’S DIOCESAN PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB EXHIBITION

THU 7 – SAT 16 MAR

THU 21 MAR – SAT 13 APR

The Louth & Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) Robert Ballagh Art & Photography Competition is back. This competition seeks to recognise and promote the excellent work created by students and learners within the network.

The competition judge is one of Ireland's best-known living artists, Robert Ballagh.

Set up 8 years ago, St Mary's Diocesan Photography Club has gone from strength to strength, growing in numbers every year. The Photography Club, managed by teacher Roisin Curtis, has students ranging from 1st to 6th Year. Students are encouraged to post their interpretation of the three weekly themes throughout the school year and get feedback from their peers.

A universal Photography Section is judged by internationally renowned Drogheda Photographer, Des Clinton.

This exhibition celebrates these students' ability to capture and express their creative sides through the medium of photography.

www.droichead.com

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VISUAL ARTS ASSEMBLE, TRANSFORM, TRANSMUTE LAURA GRAMZOW, ROGER HUDSON AND EMMA RAY | CURATED BY DOROTHY SMITH SAT 4 MAY – SAT 22 JUN

Gathering, layering, tearing, cutting and juxtaposing found imagery are intrinsic components of the creative process for all artists in this exhibition.

Laura Gramzow collects images from TV, film, social media, magazines, fine art, and objects, feeling her way through a world awash with pre-digested, mass multimedia imagery. Her large scale oils on canvas hint at colonialism, celebrity, divinity and the society of the spectacle.

During covid lockdown restrictions Emma Ray found herself unable to work as usual. Gathering images that captured our shared experiences, images of frontline workers, popular culture and current affairs, she spent 100’s of hours embroidering on to heavy upholstery fabric creating three dimensional wearable art-works.

Roger Hudson started working in photomontage in the 1980’s and has built a body of work that can be compared to visual poems; humorous, cynical, surreal, visually complex constructions of imagery commenting on the foibles and nightmares of humanity. Also a poet the title of this exhibition is taken from Roger's poem ‘What I Do’*. *Taking the Scissors to Society, Rodger Hudson, Greenhills Press, 2016

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images Emma Ray, Roger Hudson and Laura Gramzow

VISUAL ARTS FROM LIFE | RICHARD MOORE CURATED BY DOROTHY SMITH

Grant’s Pond, (detail), oil on canvas, 72 x 118cm, 1982

SAT 6 JUL - SAT 17 AUG

Droichead is delighted to host this survey exhibition of the work of Drogheda native, Richard Moore.

Spanning four decades From Life demonstrates Richard’s superb landscapes, drawings, still lives and portraits. Richard’s commitment to working en plein air, directly from life and his love for his home place Drogheda is evident in his many paintings of the everyday; houses, streets, church yards, hay fields, spring meadows, winter gardens, studies of grasses, trees, flowers, foliage, the coast line, the Boyne, evening and early morning light, along with self-portraits, portraits of friends and fellow artists. His dedicated exploration of his immediate environment, his fluid and skillful painting and draughtsmanship create an intimate and personal portrait of living a life connected to place.

www.droichead.com

11

THEATRE CLUB BELFAST GIRLS

PRICKLY

FRI 9 FEB – SAT 10 FEB | 8PM | €18/€16

FRI 23 FEB - SAT 24 FEB | 8PM | €18/€16

Set in 1850, Belfast Girls tells the story of five fierce young women who face their dark pasts on a ship bound for Australia, as they leave Belfast in search of a better life. Confined in close quarters in the belly of the ship, they embark on a tumultuous sea journey as they sail away from their homeland.

Secrets are revealed, enemies made, and it becomes clear that no matter where they go, there is no escaping the past.

Dublin’s best Debt Collector, Shauna, is struggling to control the challenging thoughts in her head. Usually, speaking to her Cacti is enough to keep her worries at bay. But, now her best (and only) friend has had a baby - Shauna's mind is in overdrive. When she finds an unexpected companion during a routine debt collection, she is forced to tap into her softer side and face the prickly thoughts in her head once and for all.

Directed by Anna Simpson and produced in association with the Lyric Belfast and the Northeast Network (Droichead Arts Centre, an Táin Arts Centre and Solstice Arts Centre)

In association with Backstage Theatre and Droichead Arts Centre

BY JAKI MCCARRICK | AN TÁIN ARTS CENTRE AND QUINTESSENCE THEATRE

BY CAOIMHE O’MALLEY | PRODUCED BY THE DLR MILL THEATRE

DROICHEAD PRESENTS DRAMA | 7 INCREDIBLE PLAYS FOR €87

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Set up in 2017 and heading into its 12th season, Droichead Theatre Club brings audiences together to see a play, and like a book club, our audiences can share their views, thoughts and impressions informally post show with the cast and creatives. If this is your 1st or 50th play, it doesn't matter - come along, and be part of the drama at Droichead. BOOK ONLINE or call 041 9833946.

THEATRE CLUB BELLOW | BROKENTALKERS

THU 7 MAR | 8PM | €18/€16

In this most unlikely of artistic collaborations, leading experimental theatre company Brokentalkers join forces with one of Ireland’s foremost traditional Irish musicians, Danny O’Mahony.

Danny has dedicated his life to the mastery of his instrument as well as to the preservation and performance of Irish traditional music.

Now, after 40 years of breathing life into centuries-old tunes to honour the memory of those who have come before him, this walking repository of an unquantifiable repertoire of ancient sonic heirlooms is finally taking a breath, a moment to stop and consider what this life-long dedication has cost him.

Bellow is funded by The Arts Council of Ireland. Co-Produced by The Everyman, Droichead Arts Centre, Mermaid Arts Centre and Town Hall Theatre Galway. Supported by Dublin Theatre Festivals Futures Award.

www.droichead.com

13

THEATRE CLUB THE HARE

ROPE-A-DOPE

SAT 23 MAR | 8PM | €18/€16

THU 2 MAY | 8PM | €18/€16

Directed by Bob Kelly, performed by Úna ní Bhriain with live music by Steve Wickham (The Waterboys).

Rope-a-Dope is the gripping personal story of a young boy’s obsession with the toughest of sports. Combining thrilling physicality and hilarious stand-up, Terry O’Neill relives his dreams, struggles, triumphs and disappointments as he chases an impossible dream.

BY CLARE MONNELLY AND BOB KELLY ONCE OFF PRODUCTIONS

She’s an odd one; a lonely girl living at the edge of the world, ridiculed by her peers and unable to fit in. Torn between the society that rejects her & her own wilder nature, she creates her own world, and lives as best she can. She sees the rest of them, but holds them at a distance. We meet her on the day that is today – and today is made different by the arrival of a letter. An opening. A suggestion of potential life beyond this place and these people.

Funded by The Arts Council of Ireland

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BY TERRY O’NEILL | BEWLEY’S CAFE THEATRE

Terry O’Neill is a busy actor and comedian whose film and TV credits include Michael Inside, The Meeting, Love/ Hate and Striking Out. But in his old life, he was a boxer.

A joyous coming of age tale that invites you to step though the ropes for a few rounds of laughter and revelation.

THEATRE CLUB PARTY SCENE

MASTERCLASS

SAT 11 MAY | 8PM | €18/€16

FRI 21 JUN | 8PM | €18/€16

Journey into the underbelly of queer culture and experience a sweaty pulsing dance theatre show exploring the complexities of desire, intimacy, isolation and addiction.

With an international company of incredible performers, Party Scene celebrates the heady high of the session but poses tough questions around drug use, sex, consent and mental health in the queer community. A bold and wild ride, the show sparks conversation around identity, self-worth, isolation, homophobia, family and care.

Part urgent gathering, part explosive event, Party Scene asks: when does an underground scene become a community crisis, and when is it time for the party to end?

Following an award-winning international tour MASTERCLASS returns to Ireland. Featuring the savagely comedic feminist discourse of acclaimed New York artist Adrienne Truscott with the slippery dramaturgy of the internationally renowned Brokentalkers, MASTERCLASS parodies the “great male artist” to within an inch of his life in order to uncover some difficult truths about privilege and power.

BY PHILIP CONNAUGHTON & PHILLIP MCMAHON THISISPOPBABY

BROKENTALKERS

Using the arts world as a metaphor, MASTERCLASS is a literate and hilarious examination of gender and power.

BORDERLINE | DROICHEAD PRESENTS NEW DRAMA | WORK IN PROGRESS DROICHEAD PRESENTS NEW DRAMA

BY JULIETTE CROSBIE | THU 21 SEPT | 8PM | €5

In 2024 as part of Theatre Club and our ongoing commitment to support artists and showcase new work we will host works in progress as part of our Droichead Presents New Drama Programme..... Check out droichead.com for details.

www.droichead.com

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THEATRE DRINKING HABITS 2 (CAUGHT IN THE ACT)

BY TOM SMITH

LOVERS (WINNERS & LOSERS)

BY BRIAN FRIEL

SECONDARY CAUSE OF DEATH BY PETER GORDON

ST. BRIGID’S DRAMA GROUP

DONORE & ROSNAREE DRAMA GROUP

TUE 13 FEB - SAT 17 FEB | 8PM | €15

TUE 27 FEB – SAT 2 MAR | 8PM | €15

TUE 16 APR - SAT 20 APR | 8PM | €15

The Sisters of Perpetual sewing miss the excitement of the old days when they were saving convents and reuniting long lost families. So when they learn that the orphanage where Paul and Kate grew up is in peril they can't wait to come to the rescue. The merry mix-ups multiply in this side splittingly hilarious sequel to Drinking Habits.

Two sets of lovers: a young couple preparing for their final school exams and their imminent wedding; the second, a set of older lovers.

Set in an English country house hotel on the eve of WWII, guests gather for what they expect to be an entertaining ‘murder mystery weekend’, only to discover a real murderer in their midst.

Conspiracy abounds and into this complex web of intrigue the hapless and hopeless Detective Inspector Pratt arrives.

AISTEORI NA BOINNE

St. Brigid’s Drama Group present these short plays which have become perennial favourites with drama companies and audiences all over the world.

SEPARATE BEDS BY SAM CREE | DONORE & ROSNAREE DRAMA GROUP | TUE 12 MAR - SAT 16 MAR | 8PM | €15 The night before Judy Marshall’s wedding, her father Arthur, like all good fathers, is having some decorating done for the occasion. His decorator, Andy, is not the fastest to get the job done and has other things on his mind and his estranged wife Clare arrives back after an absence of three years!

16

DROGHEDA CLASSICAL MUSIC ST PETER’S CHURCH, DROGHEDA 7.30PM | TICKETS: €20/€18

Drogheda Classical Music returns with another wonderful season of concerts, all set in the beautiful surrounds of St. Peter’s Church of Ireland. Featuring some world class performers and compositions to astound and delight.

JONATHAN ROOZEMAN (CELLO) & VARVARA NEPOMNYASHCHAYA (PIANO)

TIM HORTON (PIANO)

IRISH BAROQUE ORCHESTRA

VANBRUGH AND FRIENDS

FRI 19 JAN

FRI 9 FEB

SAT 2 MAR

FRI 19 APR

Finnish-Dutch cellist and rising star, Jonathan Roozeman is already establishing himself as a player of exceptional musical integrity. His duo partner, Varvara Nepomnyashchaya has quickly established a remarkable musical reputation by performing with many of world’s most prestigious orchestras.

Tim Horton is one of the UK’s leading pianists, equally at home in solo and chamber repertoire. He is a founder member of both the Leonore Piano Trio and Ensemble 360 and has been a regular guest pianist with the Nash Ensemble.

The St. Matthew Passion was composed in 1727 during Bach’s extraordinary Leipzig period, and has endured as a masterpiece of the Baroque repertoire. This powerful and moving work will be brought to life in the beautiful surrounds of St Peter’s Church of Ireland.

Closing the 2023/24 series of concerts, the Vanbrugh Quartet are joined by Marja Gaynor and Ed Creedon in a glorious programme of rich and sonorous chamber works

by Beethoven and Brahms.

www.droichead.com

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LITERATURE

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CIARAN HODGERS | SOLASTALGIA LAUNCH AND READING

FIRST FORTNIGHT | THE ART OF LETTING GO

THU 18 JAN | 8PM | €5

20 JAN | 12PM & 2PM | FREE BUT BOOKING ADVISED

How do we heal when we are in crisis? In his second poetry collection Solastalgia, Irish poet Ciarán Hodgers explores the intersection of mental health and the natural world; this collection urges us to find deeper connections to our individual and cultural selves as a gateway for nurturing reciprocity with the wider world. Louth born Ciarán Hodgers is an Irish spoken word poet based in the UK. His debut poetry collection Cosmocartography, published by Burning Eye Books in 2018, was shortlisted for the prestigious Rubery Book Award and toured the UK & Ireland, featuring in national media on both sides of the pond.

First Fortnight in partnership with Droichead Arts Centre and Droichead’s Literature Curator Dani Gill presents an interactive community event. Participants engage in a mindfulness practice, writing something to release or a wish on non-toxic, soluble paper. Notes are placed in a box and later dissolved in the River Boyne. Two sessions feature poetry by Dani Gill and local poets from Drogheda Creative Writers Group, complemented by music from local musician Roisin Ward Morrow. An Open Mic invites attendees to share readings related to the theme of letting go.

LITERATURE NUALA MOORE | LIMITLESS BOOK LAUNCH AND TALK

ONLINE BOOK CLUB IN ASSOCIATION WITH DROGHEDA LIBRARY Droichead Arts Centre in association with the Drogheda library service will offer a series of online book club sessions from January to June, facilitated by writer and curator Dani Gill. Titles will include Irish and international selections, from prize winning authors. The author of each book will join the group for a chat about the reading experience, in a special online setting. We welcome all to these sessions, and we hope to reach people who maybe are unable to attend live events at this time.

THU 25 JAN | 8PM | €5

'It's not about the Swim' -an insight into the journey through the extremes.

The sea has always been a part of Nuala Moore’s life: her earliest memory is of jumping off her father’s trawler in Dingle harbour and swimming back to shore. Since then, she’s swum in some of the coldest, remotest and most dangerous waters in the world, from the Bering Strait to the Drake Passage.

SAT 27 JAN | NORA

BY NUALA O'CONNOR

SAT 24 FEB | THE QUEEN OF DIRT ISLAND

BY DONAL RYAN

SAT 30 MAR | SWIMMING IN THE DARK

BY TOMASZ JEDROWSKI

SAT 27 APR | THE VISITORS

BY JANE HARRISON

SAT 25 MAY | LEONARD AND HUNGRY PAUL

BY RONÁN HESSION

This Book Club will take place over zoom at 11.30am on the dates above. Free but booking essential, links will be sent to participants the day before the event

www.droichead.com

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NIGHT MOVES | LATE NIGHT PROGRAMME An innovative & dynamic programme designed to provide new & engaging night time cultural experiences across Drogheda & East Meath. Produced by Droichead Arts Centre, and delivered with curators SJ McArdle, Brian Hegarty, 33-45, Brenda McComesky & Dorothy Smith, promoters & alternative venues, and in partnership with Love Drogheda BIDS, supported by the Arts Offices in Louth & Meath County Councils, and the newly established Night-Time Economy Advisor in Drogheda.

This programme encapsulates our vision of extending cultural offerings, fostering partnerships, & creating diverse opportunities for artists & audiences alike, and is funded under the Arts Council’s Late Night Events (Pilot Programme).

NIGHT TONES AT DROICHEAD 19 JAN & 29 MAR | 9.30PM & 11.00PM | €10

An immersive ambient music event with a live set from local musician and electronic virtuoso Ógy Collins. Presented in the round in the Droichead gallery space Night tones will happen in two sessions, the first with a yoga session by professional teacher Elaine Tobin and the second as a deep listening experience. Participants are asked to bring a yoga mat for session one and a mat or something similar to lie on for session two.

NIGHT MOVES AT DROICHEAD

NIGHT MOVES CONVERSATIONS WITH SCOTT MCCLOUD 16 FEB | SARSFIELDS BAR | 10PM | €10

Scott McCloud has been at the helm of the American DC punk / alternative community since the 80’s. Starting his first band when he was just 14 and going on to become an MTV darling in the 90s with his band Girls Against Boys. He will chat about his life and career so far, the ups and downs of the music biz and play some of his own songs and acoustic versions of songs synonymous with the early days of the DC punk / alternative scene.

2 FEB, 8 MAR & 3 MAY | 10PM | €10

A late-night club transforming every corner of Droichead Arts Centre into a captivating space. Audiences will enjoy ambient music by a resident DJ in our gallery, experience a bespoke art installation in our café/bar and enjoy a music programme in our theatre.

On 2 February NIGHT MOVES features RTÉ Folk Awards Best Group nominees Greenshine, with support from Seanie Vaughan.

On 8 March we have a special evening of conversation and music for International Women’s Day with pioneering alternative rock musicians Miki Berenyi and Deb Googe hosted by Sinead Ni Mhorda, with support from Aoife Wolf. The final NIGHT MOVES at Droichead on 3 May features Lisa Lambe, one of Ireland’s best-known performers, recently named Rough Trade’s Rising Star. Also featuring acclaimed, musician, composer and producer Steve Cooney. With support from Farah Elle and David San Clair.

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NIGHT MOVES | LATE NIGHT PROGRAMME

NIGHT MOVES IN EAST MEATH

NIGHT MOVES AT MCHUGHS

22 MAR & 19 APR | 10PM | MCDONOUGHS BAR AND COFFEE HOUSE, BETTYSTOWN | €10

THE BONK AND ULTAN CONLON | 1 MAR | 10PM | €10

Legendary alternative folk/roots/rock seven-piece The Cacks – born out of a road trip to New Orleans – present a series of very special gigs in the heart of East Meath, each one featuring a hand-picked guest who will perform alongside the band’s multi-instrumentalist lineup. Featuring Jane Willow on the 22 March, and Sive on the 19 April.

NIGHT MOVES TRADTRAIL THE PUNT, BARNEY MACS, AND THE PHEASANT 9 FEB, 15 MAR & 26 APR | FREE

TradTrail features the very finest local and national traditional acts across well-loved bars in Drogheda, The Punt, Barney Macs, and the Pheasant, across February, March and April.

A very special double-bill consisting of beloved Galway songwriter Ultan Conlon and legendary Dublin improv jazz adventurers The Bonk. Vital, witty, mysterious and compelling, The Bonk have released two acclaimed lps on Drogheda’s thirtythree-45 boutique music label.

THE DSM IV | 6 APR | 10PM | €10

One of the most electrifying live bands in the UK at the moment! Supporting both Sleaford Mods & The Libertines across their French & European tours respectively, offered them a chance to hone their craft, spread their wings & bring their mesmeric performances to audiences.

www.droichead.com

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OPEN AIR THEATRE AT OLDBRIDGE HOUSE BY CHAPTERHOUSE THEATRE LITTLE WOMEN FRI 28 JUN | 6.30PM | TICKETS ADULT €22/CHILD €12 | FAMILY TICKET €60 (2 ADULTS & 2 CHILDREN)

Chapterhouse Theatre Company return to the historic setting of Oldbridge House with Louisa May Alcott’s beloved coming of age story. Meet headstrong Jo March and her sisters Meg, Amy, and Beth, each sister is determined to pursue her own path in life, but though their dreams may be different, their family ties remain as true as ever. An uplifting and heartfelt tale of the March sisters’ journey into adulthood and all the trials and triumphs that come with it, Little Women features a beautiful musical score.

Gates open at 5.30pm to allow you to park and find a picnic space. The event will go ahead rain or shine. Please bring your own rugs or lowback seating only, and do consider the weather when dressing for the event

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COME AND EXPERIENCE ALL THE JOY OF LIVE THEATRE IN THE OPEN AIR BEAUTY AND THE BEAST THU 11 JUL | 6.30PM | TICKETS ADULT €22/CHILD €12 | FAMILY TICKET €60 (2 ADULTS & 2 CHILDREN)

Join Chapterhouse Theatre Company at Oldbridge House for a brand new telling of this classic fairy tale. When an arrogant prince is cursed to live as a hideous beast, his only hope is a kindly young woman in search of a rose. Presented with lively original music and sparkling humour in this delightful setting, Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s rollicking new adaptation of Beauty and the Beast is perfect for all the family!

Gates open at 5.30pm to allow you to park and find a picnic space. The event will go ahead rain or shine. Please bring your own rugs or lowback seating only, and do consider the weather when dressing for the event

www.droichead.com

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FAMILY THE LAND OF A HUNDRED LITTLE HILLS CEOL CONNECTED

GENEVIEVE NOONE SCHOOL OF DRAMA

TUE 6 FEB | 10AM & 12PM | €6 | FOR SCHOOLS | AGES 6+

SUN 9 JUN | 4PM | €10

Inspired by Patrick Kavanagh’s A Christmas Childhood poem, this is a touching story about a young boy whose life was full of wonder, fantastical adventures with his friends, and a deep connection with nature and the world around him. However, after growing up moving away from home, he somehow lost his wonder along the way. Can his childhood book of memories help him to rediscover it? Can he reconnect with the magic of childhood once again? Using a combination of live music, puppetry and animation The Land of a Hundred Little Hills is a joyful, moving, and action-packed musical tale.

The pupils of Genevieve Noone school of drama are excited to perform on the Droichead stage with an amazing, fun filled, entertaining end of year showcase. Bursting with talent and energy this is a guaranteed treat for parents. Not to be missed, book your tickets now!

LITTLE DUKE THEATRE | THU 23 – SAT 25 MAY We are delighted to once again welcome the talented students of The Little Duke Theatre to our stage for their summer 2024 production.

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MUSIC YOUNG PRODUCERS PROGRAMME

SEÁN MC CLUSKEY W/BAND

SAT 27 JAN | 6PM | €5

THU 21 MAR | 8PM | €10

A showcase of talent from across Drogheda and East Meath will come together to battle it out for some top prizes. With a panel of judges made up of local luminaries, this event is one not to be missed. Produced by our Young Producers Programme made up of fifteen transition years students from schools in Drogheda and East Meath. This programme allows young people to programme and produce an event of their choice in our centre, from idea to realisation.

Featuring Ógy Collins- Keys,Tadhg Leahy- Guitar , Gene Carolan- Bass and Ants Kierans- Drums, with support from Holly Thomson and Cathal Connolly. After a long break away after performing and writing with electronic outfit We Eat Electric Light, Seán brings a brand new collection of songs and ideas to Droichead Arts Centre with a stellar band of local musicians. Expect some improvisation and songs about Death/Dying, gambling, fatherhood, love and council estate surrealism

SLOW SESSIONS | SAT 27 JAN | 10, 24 FEB | 9, 23 MAR | 6, 20 APR | 4, 18 MAY | 1, 15, 29 JUN | 6, 20 JUL | 12PM | €5 For players of any instrument and at any level. A selection of easy and well-known session tunes will be played slowly so that people in the early stages of their playing can play together in a friendly, supportive and informal setting. Listeners and singers welcome!

www.droichead.com

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MUSIC PILGRIM ST

FLOOK WITH SPECIAL GUEST PATSY REID

SAT 27 APR | 8PM | €25

THU 16 MAY | 8PM | €18/€16

Strongly influenced by Bluegrass, Old Time Country and Folk Music, fused with traditional folk songs from this side of the Atlantic, Pilgrim St bring a warm and lively atmosphere to their music and have garnered a glowing word of mouth endorsement from venues around the country with their powerhouse live performances. Drawing from fellow luminaries such as Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, The Pogues and Bruce Springsteen’s Seeger Sessions outfit, Pilgrim St are about to bring their infectious melodies, harmonies and songs to venues all around the country.

Taking inspiration from their roots in the Irish and English traditions, Flook have an enviable trademark sound, weaving and spinning traditionally rooted tunes over precise acoustic grooves, with a rare blend of fiery technical brilliance, delicate ensemble interaction and a bold, adventurous musical imagination.

Patsy Reid is one of the most distinctive and admired fiddle players in the UK. Her unique blend of traditional and classical string technique has seen her perform alongside such an eclectic mix of artists as Kylie Minogue, Kathryn Tickell, Michael McGoldrick, Julie Fowlis and Zakir Hussain.

DKIT SHOWCASE | DKIT SHOWCASE | FRI 17 MAY | 8PM |€5

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Droichead Arts Centre are delighted to welcome the music students from DKiT to our stage this May for a special showcase.

Supported by the Audio & Music Production programme, a variety of genres will be presented, with solo, duet, ensemble, and singer/songwriter performances, with a focus on Musical theatre solo artist and electronic music. Join us to celebrate some of the regions finest emerging performing artists.

FILM FILM CLUB SEASON TICKET: 8 FILMS FOR €48 | €8 PER SCREENING

Droichead Arts Centre in partnership with Access Cinema is delighted to welcome back our Film Club members with a season of eight engaging and beautiful films from around the world, specially curated by Sinead Brassil and Niall O’Brien of LMFM’s film review segment ‘Reel Reviews’.

23 JAN | 8PM | TYPIST/ARTIST/PIRATE KING (2022) | Drama/Comedy | UK, dir Carol Morley 30 JAN | 8PM | LIES WE TELL (2023) | Drama | Ireland, dir Lisa Mulcahy 20 FEB | 8PM | PAST LIVES (2023) | Romance/Drama | USA, dir Celine Song 9 APR

| 8PM | FALLEN LEAVES (2023) | Comedy | Finland/Germany, dir Aki Kaurismäki

23 APR | 8PM | SCRAPPER (2023) | Comedy/Drama | UK, dir Charlotte Regan 30 APR | 8PM | ANATOMY OF A FALL (2023) | Thriller | France, dir Justine Triet 14 MAY | 8PM | THE OLD OAK (2023) | Drama | UK, dir Ken Loach 28 MAY | 8PM | NOBODY HAS TO KNOW (2021) | Romance/Drama | France/UK, dir Bouli Lanners, Tim Mielants

SILVER SCREEN: SEE NEW AND CLASSIC FILMS FOR FREE IN ASSOCIATION WITH ACCESS CINEMA ON 30 JAN, 20 FEB, 30 APRIL, AND 28 MAY AT 2PM.

www.droichead.com

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THE ULYSSES PROJECT

SUN 16 JUN | 3PM | €8

A modern, non-traditional re-telling of Ulysses, told rapidly by a succession of over 75 actors who recreate the characters encountered

by Leopold Bloom on June 16th, 1904. Shot entirely during the first pandemic lockdown, the resulting compendium of intimate, minutely nuanced performances features a cast including John Turturro, Aidan Gillen, Olwen Fouéré, Shane MacGowan, Paula Meehan and Barry Ward.

Screening will be followed by Q&A with directors Laoisa Sexton and Trevor Murphy.

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FESTIVALS BOYNE VALLEY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

FRI 9 – SUN 11 AUG

Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Boyne Valley, the Boyne Valley International Film Festival (BVIFF) returns from the 9-11 August for its third year. Creating an environment for filmmakers and audiences to connect and celebrate film in the historical medieval town of Drogheda, located in the heart of the Boyne Valley Region, BVIFF will once again feature an extended festival over three days featuring screenings, events and a range of awards to help support filmmakers. Once again the festival will also have a number of awards including: Best of Made in the Boyne, Best Irish Short Film Narrative, Best International Short Film Narrative, Best Animation Short, Best Documentary Short, and a short film bursary for filmmakers to develop their projects. Submission are open via Film Freeway.

In partnership with Love Drogheda BIDS. JUMP CUTS YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL | 26 APR Boyne Valley International Film Festival presents a New Youth Strand. Inspired by our youth festival committee in early 2023, this bi-annual festival is produced in association with Droichead Arts Centre. See page 33 for more detail droichead.com

www.droichead.com

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SUPPORTING ARTISTS As per our Strategy 2022 – 2026, creating a compelling programme of work that supports artists and nurtures audiences is at the heart of who we are and what we do. It is why we exist. We want to create an ecology which nurtures art and artists, and which makes the production and presentation of high-quality work available.

MAKERS MAKING MORE

CRAFT AND CREATION WORKSHOPS

In Autumn 2023, Droichead launched the MMM Initiative, developed and produced by award winning Actress-Singer Juliette Crosbie and Droichead’s Artistic Director Collette Farrell. MMM provides Q&A’s, workshops and collaborative community events, inspired by the Suggestion Box from our first Artist’s Drop In, in 2023.

The MMM initiative itself places an established artist (and their eyes and ears) at the core of producing events, workshops, Q&A’s for the community from which they come, with the intent of identifying artist’s unique needs and struggles, and devising creative solutions to enhance resources and empower artists.

Take part in our interactive workshops and panels, and get chatting to the best in the Irish theatre and film industry, about script writing, directing, performing and honing your craft.

Plans for 2024 include: THINKING TIME WALKS

An online on-demand series of interviews with Irish artists, from far and wide, across diverse practices, breaking down the life of an artist in 2024, how to survive, thrive, and create.

Thinking Time Walks are devised for artists and arts workers of all kinds to take time to slow down and reflect. Devised and led by artist and arts manager Lian Bell, the walks are conducted mostly in silence. You will be offered prompts to encourage reflection, curiosity and connection with yourself and your work. Take to the trails of the Boyne Valley, and through a nourishing and thoughtful exploration of your own practice.

The group walk takes approx. 2.5 hours and will culminate in a social gathering.

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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT (ONLINE) We will spotlight a new local artist each month, profiling their work, the challenges they face and their artistic hopes inside an ever changing arts landscape.

BREAKING DOWN THE BUSINESS

ARTS APPLICATION CLINIC Following from the huge success of our last Arts Application Clinic with Artist and facilitator Lian Bell, join us once more for another interactive arts app workshop; From forms and guidelines to recommended dos and don’ts, this workshop is a must -attend for anybody looking to up skill in the application process.

SUPPORTING ARTISTS MAKERS MAKING MORE SOCIAL MEDIA CLINIC Focusing more on the practical usage of social media apps, we will show how to use your apps with more ease, increase engagement with handy tricks and talk to the best in marketing about what makes for effective promotion.

CHOIR SERIES Ever wanted the joyous experience of joining a choir? But just for the weekend?

Join this spring, for a weekend choir workshop, led by some of Irelands critically acclaimed choir directors, culminating in a performance for friends and family.

ARTIST IN ASSOCIATION 2024 | JULIETTE CROSBIE

An award-winning actor, singer and writer from Dundalk, Louth and based in Dublin, Juliette Crosbie trained in Gaiety School of Acting. Her theatre credits include Last Orders At The Dockside (Abbey Theatre), Me, Sara (Abbey Theatre), Circle of Friends (Gaiety Theatre). Her screen credits include Harry Wild (AMC), Royal Rendevouz (E! Entertainment), and the award winning Don’t Go Where I Cant Find You. She performs regularly with The RTE Concert Orchestra, and starred in their celebration of Disney's 100th Birthday in The National Concert Hall in Autumn 2023. Along with our director Collette Farrell, she has developed the Makers Making More initiative, supporting artists in the North East region, and is developing a new one-woman musical Borderline, which debuted as a work in progress as part of our Droichead Presents New Drama programme.

ON TOUR AND IN ASSOCIATION, PRODUCTIONS AND ARTISTS WE ARE CURRENTLY SUPPORTING COAST | Red Bear Productions in Association with Droichead Arts Centre PORT BY SJ MCARDLE ON TOUR | Produced By Droichead Arts Centre BELFAST GIRLS | Quintessence Theatre in association with The Lyric Theatre, Belfast and The North East Network PRICKLY by Caoimhe O Malley. Produced by dlr Mill Theatre in assoc with Backstage Theatre and Droichead Arts Centre UNGUARDED by Anthony Kinahan in Association with Droichead Arts Centre & An Táin Arts Centre BELLOW by Broken Talkers, Co-produced by The Everyman, Droichead, Mermaid Arts Centre & Townhall Theatre Galway

www.droichead.com

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COMMUNITY & ENGAGEMENT We know the difference the arts can make to people’s lives. That is why we want to extend experiences of the arts to as many people as possible so more people across all our communities know the arts in their lives. We want the arts in Droichead to be of, by and for the people of Drogheda, East Meath and Louth.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE | 17 MARCH From February to March, artists Breda Marron, Kieran Gallagher, Yvonne Dowd Gardiner, Vivienne Byrne and Darrin Finnegan will facilitate a visual arts workshop programme with local schools and community groups in Drogheda and East Meath, culminating in a spectacle that will be part of the Drogheda St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March.

DROICHEAD YOUTH THEATRE TAKEOVER DYT are taking over the arts centre! Voyage of the Orphans, March 28-30th, tells the story of Irish orphans transported from the Great Famine workhouses on coffin ships to a new life in Australia…

Pirates, fairies, a jazz club in a swamp, and a girl on an adventure… our senior members are writing a brand new play for children, hitting the stage April 4th-6th Join us also in 2024 for a showcase of improv, new writing, and DYT magic!

YOUNG PRODUCERS PROGRAMME Our YPP kicked off again in autumn 2023 after a successful programme in 2022. In our effort to further engage with young people, we want young people’s voices and perspectives

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reflected and represented in our programme. YPP 2024 is made up of fifteen transition year students from schools in Drogheda and East Meath. This programme allows young people to programme and produce an event of their choice in our centre, from idea to realisation.

RAISE YOUR SPEAR WITH DANI GILL - A SERIES OF SIX WORKSHOPS OVER 2024 “Raise Your Spear is about voices, and making visible in the public domain, something that is often a private fight, borne in silence. " -Dani Gill, Artist Raise Your Spear is a poem from Dani Gill’s second collection of poetry: Lessons in Kindness (Salmon Poetry, April 2023).

The collection addresses being an LGBTQ person in Ireland, and the experience of that in the personal, and the public domain.

Dani has designed a bespoke project focused on workshopping with groups, exploring the themes of identity, community and advocacy. Participants will customise their own spear as part of the workshop, and the spears will go on to be exhibited in public installations in 2025, alongside words and reflections from the workshopping process.

If you are interested in any of our community and engagement programmes please email info@droichead.com

COMMUNITY & ENGAGEMENT EIRE32/XNTHONY

DROGHEDA ZINE FAIR

MON 10 - FRI 14 JUN

SAT 13 JAN | 11AM – 5PM

A community theatre project envisioning a 'New Ireland' for 2032 through the lens of democracy, futurism and queerness.

Beginning with three Irish counties including Louth, ‘Eire 32’ will see performer and writer Xnthony and his team host a series of community writing camps crafting pop songs that reflect each community's spirit, aspirations and fears.

Exploring the unbreakable relationship that exists between modern pop music and democratic society, the initiative aims to grow nationwide with suitable infrastructure with the goal of presenting an ambitious, theatrical presentation of 32 songs that reimagine Ireland in the future. Funded by Arts Council Ireland, Droichead Arts Centre and Xnthony LTD.

Drogheda Zine Fair is a new celebration of DIY publishing and counterculture collaboratively run by Rita Hynes and thirtythree.45 in association with Droichead Arts Centre.

Creating a free, welcoming event for exhibiting and working zinemakers to come together and share their work, Drogheda Zine Fair aims to showcase contemporary zinemaking and radical self/collective publishing practices in Ireland.

Zinemakers from all over the country are invited through an open call to attend the fair at Droichead Arts Centre with free participation and stalls. Everyone is welcome on the day to browse and purchase zines directly from the communities who make them.

JUMP CUTS YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL 26 APR

Boyne Valley International Film Festival presents a New Youth Strand. Inspired by our youth festival committee in early 2023, this bi-annual festival is produced in association with Droichead Arts Centre. Screening short films by young filmmakers from Louth and Meath and curated by awardwinning local filmmaker, and BVIFF Co Director, Frank W. Kelly. We are accepting films in two categories, 1st to 3rd year students and TY students. On Jan 23 and 24, Frank will facilitate Filmmaking Workshops, 10:30am to 12pm each morning. Free but booking essential at droichead.com

www.droichead.com

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ONGOING ACTIVITIES DRAMA CLASSES FOR CHILDREN

DROICHEAD YOUTH THEATRE

Drama is a fun and playful way to be creative, developing confidence in your child through role play, drama exercises, storytelling, physical movement and games.

DYT has been central to theatrical life in Drogheda since its foundation in 1991. The Youth Theatre serves multiple purposes, including drama training, and development of social, educational and personal skills. Classes on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.

Classes for Spring/Summer 2024 begin in January, please check droichead.com or call 041 9833946 for more details.

For more details email info@droichead.com

JO JINGLES DROICHEAD ARTS CENTRE, BARLOW HOUSE | TUES 9.30AM & 10.30AM | SAT 9.30AM, 10.30AM, 11.30AM & 12.30AM Music, singing and movement classes for babies and preschool children in a relaxed and caring environment.

Contact Jane on 086-4113301 or jojinglesnortheast@gmail.com

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT IN RECENT YEARS We need your continued support in 2024. Please consider becoming our Friend, making a donation or becoming a corporate sponsor. Droichead Arts Centre is a charity and your support makes all the difference.

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Think Love Drogheda Think Shop Local

GIFT CARD Thanks to the many people & businesses for supporting LOVE DROGHEDA by shopping local

www.lovedrogheda.ie

ADDRESS

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Stockwell St, Drogheda & Barlow House, Drogheda

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