Íontas Theatre Event Guide | Jan - May 23

FOREWARD

What a year 2022 has been here in Íontas. We came fast and strong out of lockdown, with a huge myriad of Shows, Festivals, Events, and much more… And we look forward to bringing each and every one of you another exciting season, jam-packed full of comedy, drama, music, and much, much more besides, as we move just as momentously into a bright and brilliant 2023!

We’ll be kicking off the new year with a much awaited concert from the legendary Fureys, and our electrifying music selection continues well into the year, as we welcome Starling Blue back to perform “Rooted in Harmony” their New Irish selection of Songs for St.Paddy’s weekend. The Season will be dotted with all your country favourites, Derek Ryan, Declan Nerney, Jimmy Buckley, & Philomena Begley to Name just a few. We also have all your American favourites in March with “Legends of American Country”. Other tribute acts we have coming are among the best and most awarded on the continent, such as ABBA, Elvis, & Luke Kelly. WOW! What a selection! We are also excited to host newly formed Irish/Dutch group The Moon Sisters, which includes Local Singer Julieanne Black Reel, as well as Ilona Dekker & Eva Stultjens from the Netherlands. much

If Musicals are more your thing, we’ll be starting off with Born 2 Perform’s Panto “Little Red Riding Hood”, which promises to be an enjoyable show for all the family. Born 2 Perform will also return later in the summer for their Summer showcase. We look forward to hearing what they have in store! For the younger kiddies, we have “I Spy With My Little Eye”, a great musical adventure Starring Bingo the Puppy, who along with his friend molly, will sing and dance their way through a big, fun-filled birthday party adventure! For the bigger “kiddies” we have the world renowned “Menopause 2” the musical, sailing onto our stage in May, which promises to be an incredible night out for Everyone. Castleblayney Musical Society hope to perform their show “Pop Stars” The musical, which was postponed last year. We can’t wait to hear further details in the spring. Of course, No season would be complete without some Stand up comedy, and we are delighted to be welcoming Irish heavyweights Neil Delamere and Tommy Tiernan to our stage this spring.

Drama is always a favourite here in Íontas, and our upcoming year is no exception… With amazing shows of comedy, Drama, and everything in between. “GomBean” is the much anticipated, comedy extravaganza, written and performed by Niamh McGrath, who we are looking forward to having with us. We also have John B. Keane’s classic “The Matchmaker”, starring D’unbelievable Jon Kenny, alongside Norma Sheehan, who performed her amazing Shirley Valentine with us last year. The Castleblayney Players hope to announce their next show very soon, coming up in May, which promises to be an entertaining night out for all audience members, old and new.

One of the annual highlights of our calendar is always The Castleblayney Drama Festival, and this year is no exception, with 9 amazing nights of some of the best standard of shows, from the cream of Amateur Drama & Theatre Companies throughout the country. Come along and see a show or two, discuss your own opinions after hearing the adjudicator’s views, maybe treat yourself to a Festival season pass, which admits you to all plays on the festival programme, just remember the final night starts at 7.30pm, as the awards ceremony takes place afterwards. Can’t wait to see who will be on the winner’s podium this year!

Our resident Film club, Blayney Film At Íontas (BF@Í) has once again programmed an exciting selection of films for viewing and discussing in the coming months of the year. We have films spanning across many decades and regions, including award winning Sudanese “Talking about Trees”, Indian Classic “Apur Sansar”, and the engaging “In The mood For Love” from Hong Kong, considered one of the best films ever made worldwide. We also look forward to the powerful Romanian Film “Graduation”. In a special conjunction with The French embassy & Institut Francais, we are happy to present the French masterpiece “Love Affaire(s)”, which will be screened to close the Film Season this spring.

Our Gallery is set to be adorned with a variety of artwork from local Louth artist Caoimhe O’Dwyer & “Renewal” a beautiful collection of artwork informed by her love of nature. Also coming is Dundalk artist Michael Stafford, who’s striking work debates serious themes through colourful, graffiti style methods. We are proud to announce that Orlagh Meegan Gallagher will continue her amazing project “Memory of Water” into 2023, for an amazing fourth year as our Community Artist in Residence. She will work with Local day care homes, and hopes to exhibit this amazing work in Íontas in the autumn months. ipated and exciting new season of music and enter On behalf of all of us, we would like to thank all the groups and individuals who use our building everyday, who make this the special place it is. Also to Somhairle and all his Arts Team in Monaghan CoCo, whose unwavering support continues to make our arts programme prosper and thrive. To all our volunteers, and everyone who contributes to our ongoing events, and most importantly, to you, the community, who supports our programme, attends shows, and uses the spaces we provide to share your skills, stories and successes with us and each other. Thank you so much for your patronage and contribution, and we wish all of you a very prosperous, enjoyable & enlightening 2023. See You Soon!

All The Team Here at Íontas

From

Whether you are attending one of the performances at our renowed Íontas Theatre or attending dance class, getting creative in our arts room, catching an exhibition in our gallery space, attending music practice, rehearsals or an afterschool club, learning to cook or using the centre to study after school - everyone is welcome. We are a Conference Centre and are also home to the Gallery Café, Íontas Créche, and Íontas Day Care. We are proud to facilitate other tenants that also do invaluable work for the community

THE FUREYS

Date: Thursday 5th January

Time: 8pm | Tickets: €33

The Fureys are one of Ireland’s all-time most acclaimed and influential folk, traditional and middle of the road bands. Fureys classics, I Will Love You, When You Were Sweet 16, Red Rose Café, Leaving Nancy, The Old Man, From Clare to Here and The Green Fields of France have become the soundtrack to the lives of fans all over the world.

The Fureys’ indelible musical footprint is rivalled only by their vast collection of personal stories of

their musical experiences and friendships, gathered by Eddie and George Furey along an amazing 45-year journey which shows no signs of reaching a final destination.

Eddie and George Furey are particularly proud of their UK chart success with songs like I Will Love You and When You Were Sweet Sixteen, which in turn helped bring Irish folk and traditional music to a completely new audience. The band made their Top of the Pops debut in 1981.

RENEWAL

RUNS FROM: 11th January to 28th March

New work by artist Caoimhe

O’Dwyer

This collection sets out a series of natural phenomena which have arranged themselves in a loose order, according to their perpetually shifting influence on the artist’s life and process and on the lives of those around her. This is a readily accessible first collection: paintings in watercolour and in oil, inspired by botanicals and flowers, by the sea, or by the turning of the seasons in the artisit’s cider

apple orchard, yet its accessibility belies a visual acuity which articulates a singular perception, and a fresh eye on established artistic themes. Art and painting are woven into the weft and warp of her everyday life and work. Little sparks of inspiration and imagination set seed in the habitual and the quotidian, which grow into these deft and beautiful works of art.

Caoimhe O’Dwyer graduated from NCAD in 2003 and won the international Mittelmoda design award in 2004. She worked as a fashion designer in Rome, Paris, New York and Bologna before returning home to set up a design studio in Malahide, Dublin. She moved to Castlebellingham, Co Louth to raise her young family. Creating these works was an act of renewal for the artist, revisiting themes of nature and the littoral adventures of her childhood.

Gombean

BY NIAMH MCGRATH DIRECTED BY SEAMUS O’ROURKE

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

PANTO

Date: Sunday 15th to Saturday 21st January

Time: 7.30pm (Sunday 15th 2.00pm & 7.30pm Tickets: €18

Come and Join Little Red riding hood on a new Panto adventure this New years!

There will be singing, dancing, and rolling around on the floor with Laughter, so don’t miss out on this exciting musical adventure brought to you by Born 2 Perform stage school.

Tickets are selling fast, so grab yours quickly before the wolf gobbles the last ones up!

Note: Sunday 15th Matinée at 2.30pm & Evening show 7.30pm.

GOMBEAN

Date: Friday 13th January Time: 8pm | Tickets: €20/18

Written & Perfromed by Niamh McGrath

Directed by Seamus O’Rourke

GomBean is a comedy set in a sleepy town in Sligo. Delivering a lock-down dose of caffeine fueled fun GomBean opens a lid on Grace O’ Malley’s new coffee van venture, but a blast from her past, wrestling rival Ruby Stephens arrives in town, decades after making it big.

Her arrival literally turns Grace’s world upside down, as she contends to win back her title which she lost at the U18’s Community Games in ’94. Some dreams can’t be stomped on!

Created with the support of Hawk’s Well Theatre

WATERLOO ABBA & 70’S TRIBUTE ACT

Date: Friday 27th January

Time: 8pm | Tickets: €25

Waterloo Combine Stunning Vocals with a high Quality of Musicianship & Harmonies.

This sensational show takes you back in time with all your favourites guaranteed. Between them, they have appeared in the No. 1 Theatres around Ireland & the UK, as well as many TV Shows.

A High Energy Show with replica Costumes, Dazzling Dance moves & plenty of Audience Participation… Who are always left cheering for more!!!

Ireland’s answer to ABBA, Waterloo has been voted The best ABBA show, and most Authentic ABBA Tribute of all time!

BEN REEL ALBUM LAUNCH

Date: Saturday 4th February Time: TBC

Since his debut album `This Is the Movie’ back in 1999, Ben has reinvented himself from album to album, influenced by different styles of music over the years. As one critic said, “He’s not afraid to throw in some in folk, soul, reggae vibes, which in turn call to mind John Hiatt at his best”. Another describes him as “somewhere in the middle ground between rock and jazz or a sound that is sometimes reminiscent of Dylan and the Band”.

New album released on the 15th September 2022 on all platforms titled “Locked in & Live”. The album features 18 songs - 8 live songs recorded during lockdown in The Iontas theatre Castleblayney unfortunately with no audience. It will also feature 7 studio recorded songs that Ben worked on during lockdown & 3 live acoustic songs that featured on his Facebook live streamed concerts in the 1st year of the covid pandemic. Two of these are cover versions of Bob Dylan’s - Oh Sister and Bruce Springsteen’s - Drive All Night. Out of the 7 studio tracks there is tribute songs to 2 great friends who sadly passed away in the last year: The late Rainbow George Weiss whom Ben co wrote ‘U People & Scoring Goals’ which features voice overs by Rainbow George & his good friend Ian Jury. The song ‘U Look to Me’ was co wrote with the late great Irish songwriter Tony McLoughlin.

Ben also released Live @JJ Smyths Dublin on the 1st Nov 2021. Featured on the recordings are the long standing members of the Ben Reel Band - Ben’s wife Julieanne Black Reel on backing vocals & percussion, Michael Black on Drums, Ronnie O’Flynn on bass, Mick McCarney on Electric guitar & John McCullough on piano & organ. This same band lineup also features on the live tracks recorded for the Locked In & Live album. This great 6 piece band will come together again to play the Iontas theatre on Saturday 4th February but this time in front of a live audience.

Ben will release his 11th studio album in 2023.

APUR SANSAR

Date: Wednesday 8th February Time: 7.30pm

Tickets: €7 / €25 for Membership (5x films Season Ticket)

By the time Apur Sansar was released, Satyajit Ray had directed not only the first two Apu films but also the masterpiece The Music Room, and was well on his way to becoming a legend. This extraordinary final chapter brings our protagonist’s journey full circle. Apu is now in his early twenties, out of college, and hoping to live as a writer. Alongside his professional ambitions, the film charts his romantic awakening, which occurs as the result of a most unlikely turn of events, and his eventual, fraught fatherhood. Featuring soon to be Ray regulars Soumitra Chatterjee and Sharmila Tagore in star-making performances, and demonstrating Ray’s ever more impressive skills as a crafter of pure cinematic imagery, Apur Sansar is a moving conclusion to this monumental trilogy.

106mins (India) 1959 CLUB

MICHEAL SCOTT PRESENTS THE MATCMAKER

Date: Friday 10th February Time: 8pm | Tickets: €23/€26

Michael Scott’s iconic production of JOHN B. KEANE’S hilarious dramatic comedy THE MATCHMAKER opened in Spirit in January 2001 starring Anna Managhan and Des Keogh.

Now for it 21st year, one of Ireland leading dramatic actresses Norma Sheahan joins JON KENNY (who was part of the Irish comic duo d’Unbelievables with Pat Shortt) in this iconic production at the Gaiety Theatre Dublin for one week only 12-17th September (with two matinees). Together they play a myriad of characters in this hilarious and earthy dramatic comedy.

The play follows the efforts of Dicky Mick Dicky O Connor to make matches for the lonely and lovelorn. Using his inimitable way with words and his one sense of “devilment” and wit, Keane delves into the longings, hungers, fears and foibles of this collection of lonely country people and creates a marvelously colorful world, taking us back to a simpler time, when phones were few and far between and the only web was one left behind by spiders.

Norma Sheahan loved by audiences from her roles in The Clinic, Bridget and Eamon and Moone Boy, is the only other actress apart from Vanessa Redgrave to have sold out the Gaiety Theatre in a one woman show (not once, but twice) in her role as Willy Russell’s Shirley Valentine. Shirley Valentine has just completed an enormously successful national tour.

I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE

THE PARTY! - BASED ON THE PICTURE BOOK BY STEVEN LEE

Date: Monday 13th February

Time: 2.30pm

Tickets: €40 (Family of 4) €12 (Adult) €10 (Kid)

Molly and Bingo the puppy are having a birthday party and, best of all, you’re invited!

There’ll be a terrific treasure hunt, all your favourite sing-along songs, including The Ants Go Marching, Hickory Dickory Dock and BINGO, and lots of fantastic games to play, including Molly’s favourite game, I Spy With My Little Eye!

So put on your party clothes and come join us for what promises to be a magical day of fun and laughter. It’s going to be the best party ever!

A sweet surprise and photos with Bingo and the birthday girl will be available after the show so grown ups should bring along their cameras to capture the smiles.

*“Perfect for Families” - What’s On Stage *

*“I Spy With My Little Eye lots of very happy children”Mumsworld *

A great activity for the midterm break!

Date: Saturday 11th February

Time: 8pm | Tickets: €29

The Legend of Luke Kelly is an authentic show celebrating the life and songs of Ireland’s most iconic and greatest folk singer. Created and performed by the renowned Chris Kavanagh the show is not a tribute but a journey through Luke’s music that has received rave reviews in Ireland.

The show is regularly enjoyed and approved by Luke Kelly’s family. Creator Chris Kavanagh recreates the best loved songs from Luke as well as his own compositions through a 90 minute show with Live band and multi-vision background throughout.

Dublin man & multi-instrumentalist Chris Kavanagh has been singing & playing music since he was three years old. His Grandmother instilled a love of folk music in him from this tender age, with bands such as The Dubliners & The Clancy Brothers played regularly in his childhood home.

Chris is well known for his passionate performances of folk singer Luke Kelly’s songs with his successful show The Legend of Luke Kelly, but he is also an extremely skilled songwriter & composer. His 2011 album “Voice of the People” showcases his skills to perfection, & Chris’s musical arrangements around the songs, coupled with his exceptional singing talents bring a long-awaited freshness to the folk music scene.

DEREK RYAN

LIVE IN CONCERT

Date: Sunday 19th February

Time: 8pm | Tickets: €31

Derek Ryan live in concert with special guests Clodagh Lawlor & Barry Kirwan

Irish country sensation Derek Ryan’s road to stardom is set to continue with his biggest concert tour yet. Following on from the phenomenal success of his recent Soft Ground tour, Derek Ryan returns with a brand-new concert show for 2023.

Derek and his fantastic band are back on the road to perform brand new material from Derek’s new album along with the classic hits from his back catalogue such as; ‘Hold On To Your Hat’, ‘Down On Your Uppers’ and ‘God’s Plan’.

JMG MUSIC GROUP PRESENTS PHILOMENA BEGLEY

I AINT OVER THE HILL

Date: Sunday 26th February

Time: 8pm | Tickets: €30

Philomena Begley is widely known as the Queen of Irish Country is a name that needs very little introduction and is synonymous throughout Ireland and beyond , she has been at the forefront of Irish Country Music now for 60 years and during this time she has had a glittering career that has seen her achieve countless accolades and scoring dozens of No.1 hit songs that include “The Blanket on the Ground”,”Truck Driving Woman” and “The Queen of the Silver Dollar” to name but a few along with being a regular guest on all major TV and radio shows.

Philomena has performed on stages all over the world to legions of fans and appeared with Porter Wagoner on the Grand Old Opry in Nashville. One of Begley’s biggest fans is Irish superstar Daniel O’Donnell, and he once said, “When Philomena sings a song you believe her you feel that she’s experienced every emotion she expresses”. Join our national treasure Philomena Begley with special guests Ray Lynam and her son Aidan Quinn for the memorable “I aint over the Hill tour 2023”.

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

FRIDAY 3RD MARCH LISLEA DRAMATIC PLAYERS

SEE HOW THEY RUN BY PHILP KING

It’s World War II and an English village’s inhabitants are preparing themselves for the imminent threat of Nazi invasion. Meanwhile, Miss Skillon, becomes convinced that the vicar’s wife is having an affair. Add an escaped German prisoner of war, a handsome actor, the visiting Bishop, a priest and some meddling neighbours, and hilarious confusion and mayhem result.

SATURDAY 4TH MARCH NEWTOWNSTEWART THEATRE COMPANY

MIDDEN BY MORGAN REGAN

Ruth, a successful businesswoman, returns home from America. But instead of the expected welcome, she finds her mother full of bitterness and anger, her grandmother on the brink of Alzheimers and her younger sister struggling to survive.

SUNDAY 5TH MARCH

BALLYSHANNON DRAMA SOCIETY

A DELICATE BALANCE BY EDWARD ALBEE

In this funny play, Agnes and Tobias share their home with Agnes’ alcoholic sister, Claire. Their neighbours, Harry and Edna, arrive at the house with their adult daughter Julia, fleeing her fourth unsuccessful marriage, and over the weekend things go awry.

MONDAY 6TH MARCH

SALMON EILE THE PITCHFORK DISNEY BY PHILIP RIDLEY (ADULT CONTENT)

This is an adult play and not for the faint hearted. It is a dreamlike piece with surreal elements. It particularly deals with childhood fears. Presley and Haley are two adults who lead a childish fantasy existence. Presley invites in a man called Cosmo Disney. Cosmo’s partner Pitchfork Cavalier arrives and when Pitchfork and Presley go to the shop Cosmo sexually assaults Haley. Presley returns and Cosmo flees. Haley awakes, and the two express their fear.

TUESDAY 7TH MARCH POMEROY PLAYERS

THE HEN NIGHT EPIPHANY BY JIMMY MURPHY

In this comedy, five women come together to help clear out a run-down cottage a week before the wedding of its new owner, Una. Joining her on this hen night of sorts are her two best friends, Kelly and Tríona, and her soon to be mother-in-law, Olive, and Olive’s best friend, Anta. As the play unfolds the women are forced to confront some awkward truths.

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

WEDNESDAY 8TH MARCH DUNDALK THEATRE WORKSHOP FAITH HEALER BY BRIAN FRIEL

Faith Healer is a play in which three characters, speaking a series of four conflicting monologues, struggle to understand the life Frank Hardy, the play’s itinerant healer, who can neither understand nor command his unreliable powers and the lives sacrificed to his destructive charismatic life.

THURSDAY 9TH MARCH NEWPOINT PLAYERS

HAPPY DAYS BY SAMUEL BECKETT

A parody of love, marriage and our search for meaning. Winnie, a woman, inexplicably buried under mounds of earth, reminisces about better days. Clinging to the empty arbitrary routines and rituals of life, she is ever hopeful that this is going to be a happy day. The other character, her husband Willie, is rarely seen.

FRIDAY 10TH MARCH KILRUSH DRAMA GROUP

THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE BY MARTIN MCDONAGH

In this dark comedy, the tempestuous relationship between a spinster daughter Maureen and her aging mother Mag comes to a head when an old friend offers Maureen a chance at love and a new life. The two women, driven by desperation, will do anything to survive.

SATURDAY 11TH MARCH

THURLES DRAMA GROUP

THE SEAFARER BY CONOR MCPHERSON

It’s Christmas Eve and Sharky Harkin, an alcoholic, has returned to Dublin to look after his irascible, ageing brother who’s recently gone blind. Old drinking buddies Ivan and Nicky are holed up at the house too, hoping to play some cards. But with the arrival of a stranger from the distant past, the stakes are raised ever higher, and Sharky may be playing for his very soul.

BLAYNEY FILM @ ÍONTAS PRESENTS

IN THE MOOD FOR

LOVE

Date: Wednesday 15th March Time: 7.30pm Tickets: €7 / €25 for Membership (5x films Season Ticket)

Whispers in doorways. Long, longing looks. Desire at war with propriety. This enthralling, enigmatic, romantic drama from Asia’s most influential auteur (Chungking Express) is an essay in appetite and inhibition. In 1962 Hong Kong, two neighbors (Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung Chiu-wai) learn that their spouses are having an affair with each other. Slowly they are drawn into their own web of resentment, guilt and lust. Do the cuckolds have their own affair? That is for the viewer to judge. What’s beyond dispute is the artful evocation of a world of glamour and deceit, humidity and heartbreak--it’s the year’s first unmissable film event. Recommended to anyonewho’s ever felt the fear and lure of falling in love.

© Richard Corliss, Time Magazine

98mins (Hong Kong, France, Thailand) 2001 CLUB

STARLING BLUE

ROOTED IN HARMONY

Date: Thursday 16th March Time: 8pm | Tickets: €25

Starling Blue return to the Iontas stage with something very new.

Ireland is steeped in music from many different genres. Louise, Hannah, Patrice & Liebe are excited to perform some of the country’s best known classics.

Join Starling Blue with their full band sound this St. Patrick’s Eve as they cover songs of Irish artists like Sinead O Conor, Kodaline, The Cranberries, Wallis Bird, Mary Black, Dermot Kennedy and Christy Moore to name a few.

They are eager to bring something new and fresh to their repertoire for their audience to enjoy.

ROBERT MIZZELL’S

NATIONAL SONG BOOK

Date: Sunday 19th March

Time: 8pm | Tickets: €26

Join Robert Mizzell plus special guests on his ‘Nashville Song Book’ concert tour.

Let us take you on a musical and visual journey spanning fifty years of Country Music history. Featuring all of your favourite country songs in one special extravaganza!

Perfect gift for Mothers day!

JMG MUSIC GROUP PRESENTS

THE LEGENDS OF AMERICAN COUNTRY SHOW 2023

Date: Friday 24th March Time: 8pm | Tickets: €26

Now seen by over 350,000 fans live, and watched by millions on TV...

Europe’s No.1 multi award winning show “The Legends of American Country“ returns for another fantastic night of toe tapping Country nostalgia.

The 2023 tour will showcase highly acclaimed tributes to Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Don Williams, Patsy Cline and Kenny Rogers, along with new tributes to icons Hank Williams, Charley Pride, Glen Campbell, Tammy Wynette, John Denver and Jim Reeves... with countless other well-known singalong hit songs in this must see musical extravaganza!!!

The show features 3 fantastic singers, who are all accompanied by a superb live band of musicians, with that authentic Tennessee sound... Coupled with an authentic stage set, and state of the art production, that will transport you all the way... Hand clapping and toe tapping... To Nashville and back in one night.

One thing is for sure, if it’s Country music you like, then this is the only show in town!

MICHEAL STAFFORD TAKING IT BACK

Date: Wednesday 19th March - Tuesday 30th May

In the past I worked with geometric forms, taking a visual 3d form, abstracting it and then I would look for a way to flatten them. I used unrelated images to flatten the geometric forms., I believe this was a way of demystifying the process of painting. “Every exhibition since my first solo exhibition ‘The media is the message’ Basement Gallery 2005, I’ve tried to find other ways to demystify, to disrupt my painting, to keep it fresh, a type of ‘Punk’ attitude. I feel like I have to keep disrupting the previous marks made, for myself and for the viewer.

My process has always been the same, exploring tension between painterly, anti-painter type of painting. I am Constantly looking to disrupt the perception of what Contemporary Painting is.

Digital visual imagery was inspired by painters, sculptors, and printmakers., I want to reconnect with that aesthetic knowledge and reclaim its painterly concerns.

Taking it back” is that response. I think it should be the activity of contemporary painters to find disruption, if it’s not then the process of painting is fundamentally lost to the myriads of visual information, we receive every day.

J AND C PROMOTIONS PRESENTS

JIMMY

BUCKLEY

Date: Friday 31st March Time: 8pm Tickets: €26

Jimmy Buckley is without a doubt one of Ireland’s best loved and most respected performers. Jimmy has enjoyed many years at the top of his profession and has received numerous awards including the prestigious Entertainer of the year in the RTE music awards and he has also been regularly Lauded at The Prestigious Sunday World Awards.

Jimmy possesses a very rare talent, not only as a phenomenal singer but also as a hilarious mimic of other major stars including Daniel o Donnell, Brendan Shine and Phil Coulter .

This Live Show is bound to be a very special treat for those who enjoy The Authentic Country Music Sound. Jimmy’s special Guest on the Night is Sandy Kelly who has really done it all in the Country Music World from recording with Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell and George Hamilton to performing on some of the world’s most prestigious stages . Sandy has had many remarkable moments in her lengthy musical career and her live performance is still unique and very special.

TOMMY TIERNAN

TOMFOOLERY

Date: Saturday 1st April Time: 8pm | Tickets: €36

Due to phenomenal demand Tommy Tiernan is back onstage with extended dates of his new show ‘tomfoolery’ and coming Íontas in 2023. ‘tomfoolery’ is a high energy mix of outrageous idea’s and whimsical flights of fancy.

Currently hosting RTÉ1’s stunning 2 part series “Epic West” telling the story of the West of Ireland through the rich body of culture it has inspired, appeared as ‘Da Gerry’ in Channel 4’s BAFTA Nominated hit show Derry Girls, co-host of the adored Tommy Hector & Laurita’ podcast, which recently hit 20 million downloads and winner of ‘Best Entertainment Podcast’ at the Irish Podcast Awards. Host of his own highly critically praised improvised chat show which is back for a 7th season in Jan 2023. Virgin Television will also be airing a selection of his classic stand up DVD specials over the Christmas period ‘Crooked Man’ 16th December, ‘Cracked’ 17th December and ‘Loose’ 18th December.

Bringing all his experience and mischief to the stage, Tommy Tiernan is coming soon to Íontas.

BLAYNEY FILM @ ÍONTAS PRESENTS

TALKING ABOUT TREES

Date: Wednesday 12th April Time: 7.30pm Tickets: €7 / €25 for Membership (5x films Season Ticket)

Ibrahim, Manar, Suleiman and Altayebare the members of the Sudanese Film Club founded in 1989. Unable to make films for years, they have decided to revive an old cinema. They are united not only by their love of cinema and their passionate desire to restore old films and draw attention to Sudanese film history once more, but also by the fact that they all enjoyed a film education outside Sudan

Their plans to renovate the outdoor cinema come up against bureaucracy, lack of cash and a general fear of upsetting “he who cannot be named.” (The film was made before the recent overthrow of Omar al-Bashir).

In the meantime, they sit together and talk about the past and the history of Sudanese cinema, including their experiences of persecution and even torture as oppositional artists. They recall their times of exile and dream of a Sudan in which art and intellectual thought can be free. ‘We are smarter than them, but not as strong,’ is the conclusion.

Even if their plans may be unfulfilled, the strong solidarity and humour of the four no longer young men, and their new recruit, Hana, do give hope for the future.

93mins (France, Sudan, Chad, Germany, Qatar) 2019 CLUB

NEIL DELAMERE DELAMERIUM

Date: Friday 14th April Time: 8pm | Tickets: €26

Neil Delamere is back with a brand new show, Delamerium.

Expect the usual hilarious stories, wry observations and quick-witted improvisation as our comedy hero tries to makes sense of the world around him.

“No TV camera could accurately measure the lightning speed of Delamere’s wit”- The Irish Times Book Early to avoid disappointment.

Box Office: 042 975 3400/401

THE ELVIS SPECTACULAR SHOW

Date: Saturday 15th April Time: 8pm | Tickets: €25

The ELVIS SPECTACULAR SHOW STARRING EUROPEAN CHAMPION CIARAN HOULIHAN with his TCB BAND and THE SWEET SENSATIONS is irelands longest running ( 26 years !) And most successful ELVIS SHOW..

Multi award winning CIARAN HOULIHAN looks ,sounds and moves like The KING all his costumes are created by ELVIS ORIGINAL COSTUME MAKER GENE DOUCHETTE!

The show will transport you to 1970s Las Vegas for a two hour trip to ELVIS heaven!

If you’re only going to see one ELVIS show this year make sure it’s THE ELVIS SPECTACULAR STARRING CIARAN HOULIHAN WITH HIS TCB BAND AND THE SWEET SENSATIONS.

THE ONLY ELVIS SHOW THAT COUNTS!!!

DECLAN NEARNEY & BAND

Date: Friday 21st April Time: 8pm | Tickets: €25

With Special Guests Owen Mac & John Hogan

Declan was born in the heart of Ireland in Drumlish Co Longford, at a unique period of time in the music scene worldwide. A revolution in rock and pop brought us The Beatles, Elvis, and the Rolling Stones, while here in Ireland the magnificent showband boom was about to explode. A young man growing up at that time, Declan was being heavily influenced by these greats and indeed was getting the rare opportunity to see most of the top showbands appear in his native town of Drumlish.

He would cajole his mother into seeing Joe Dolan, Big Tom, Philomena Begley, The Capital Showband, and many more perform when they appeared at the marquee at the end of May and early June. From his vantage point close to the stage, he would absorb every move made by the guitarist in the bands, watching his fingers slide along the strings, hoping that one day he might be up there performing just like Dan O’Hara or Seamus McMahon.

Join Declan and special guests John Hogan and Owen Mac, accompanied by his super live band, for a nostalgic night of music, song and laughter!

CELEBRATION IRELAND

A SPECTACULAR A SPECTACULAR TWO HOUR STAGE SHOW

Written by Tommy Marren

OUR SONGS OUR HISTORY OUR HEROS OUR CHARACTERS OUR WIT

THE CROKEY HILL PLAYERS PRESENTS

CELEBRATION IRELAND

Date: Friday 28th & Saturday 29th April Time: 8pm Tickets: €26/€24

Celebration Ireland is a captivating and fast-moving 2 hour stage show that celebrates all things Irish. Written by Tommy Marren (Author of Its The Real McCoy, Nobody’s Talking To Me and 3 Hail Marys) it captures our history, our culture and our music across ten decades. Laced with nostalgic, memories, comedy and song Celebration Ireland is not to be missed!

The show features live music, hilarious sketches and a big on stage screen that captivates the audience from start to finish - rekindling memories of Irish people and events you’ve probably completely forgotten about! By the end of the performance you’ll be proud to be Irish!

MICHEAL HARDING ALL THINGS LEFT UNSAID

Date: Friday 5th May Time: 8pm | Tickets: €22

An Evening with Michael Harding

For almost fifty years, Michael Harding has been crafting words in a bid to express himself and to explore truths about the human condition. But even still he found himself unable to say certain things he really wanted to.

Then, while in recovery from surgery, he travelled to a cottage on the Atlantic coast and thought again about life and the people who had profoundly affected him over the years: mentors, loves and old friends.

There at the ocean he wrote letters, with an intimacy not previously risked. Letters that would never be posted but that feature in his latest book All the Things Left Unsaid – a vulnerable and beautifully wrought collection of insights into life, death, friendship and love.

Join Ireland’s master-storyteller for a return to the stage that that is greatly anticipated by his legion of fans across the country, telling his stories with great humour, warmth and honesty

MOON SISTERS

Date: Saturday 13th May

Time: 8pm | Tickets: €21

‘Our World is vast, and though we are not close in miles, we are all under the same moon’

The vocal group ‘Moon Sisters’ was born during the pandemic when three singers met via an online singing app called SMULE. Moon Sisters are Julieanne Black Reel from Castleblayney, County Monaghan and Ilona Dekker and Eva Stultjens from the Netherlands. Through song, Julieanne, Ilona, and Eva instantly connected and have since formed a beautiful bond – much like sisters, where they sing together regularly and talk to each other every single day without fail. The girls have been sharing their collabs on social media and are overwhelmed by the response they have received. They have also been invited to sing together in the Muckno Mania Festival in Julieanne’s hometown of Castleblayney on Saturday 9th July 2022.

With not living in the same Country, their only way of rehearsing for this concert is by recording songs together online! At Muckno Mania festival, the girls will be joined by the incredible guitarist; Mick McCarney. Mick is originally from Clones and now lives in Donegal. Mick began his professional career in music with the band ‘Quarterdeck’. He has since played with the likes of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, ‘Naked Lunch’(Steely Dan Tribute band), Dolores Keane, Chiara Browne and many more, and is a member of the Ben Reel Band.

‘Moon Sisters’ Julieanne, Ilona and Eva will meet face-to-face together for the first time at the Muckno Mania Festival in Castleblayney. The excitement is building, and they cannot wait to come together, and to sing live together at the festival.

Hot flushes, mood swings, memory lapses, weight gain - these are a few of our favourite menopausal things! For these four ladies the menopause was not the beginning of the end, but the beginning of a beautiful friendship

ORLAGH MEEGAN GALLAGHER COMMUNITY ARTIST IN RESIDENCE 2020-2022

Íontas Arts Community Artist in Residence Orlagh Meegan-Gallagher has created a multi-sensory art project based on her work as a seascape and waterscape artist called A Memory of Water. Originally conceived in the first lockdowns, the project is specifically designed to work through the staff from nursing homes and day care centres in order to deliver a series of carefully planned activities, using Visual, Auditory, Oral and Tactile stimulus to inspire art making. Always themed around the sea, rivers and lakes, Orlagh brings the beauty, calm and tranquility of these places into nursing homes and day care centres. To date she has worked with the residents of Lorgan House (Dementia Unit) St. Mary’s Nursing Home in 2020 and Killanny House (mixed unit) Castleross Nursing Home in 2021 and this year she has worked with 2 venues… St. Anne’s Nursing Home Ballybay and Cloughvalley Day Care Centre Carrickmacross, (run by Alzheimers Society of Ireland).

Orlagh works through nursing home’s or day care centres’ Social Activities Coordinators, so that changing covid restrictions do not impede the delivery of the project and instead supports staff, introducing new approaches to making art and the use of a wide variety of materials so that, even after the project is finished the staff can continue to use the skills acquired to enhance the art experience for all those in their care.

The project culminates in an exhibition of the residents’ and daycare users’ work alongside Orlagh’s own work. Last year there there was 2 exhibitions one in Ballybay and the other in Carrickmacross and the artists, for the first time since covid began, can attend the openings. Besides the obvious benefit to the artists who will see their work displayed in an exhibition, opened by the Mayor, in the local newspapers and given the pride of place it deserves, the exhibitions also challenge peoples’ perspectives about older age and ability. Orlagh has proven over and over, that anyone, no matter what their situation, can create beautiful art if given the chance and appropriate support.

Each year Orlagh makes a short film about the project with Darren Finn, videographer and Fintan Gallagher, musician and this will be released on Íontas Theatre’s YouTube channel after the exhibition openings in October.

Orlagh says she could not take on such a huge undertaking without the support from Creative Monaghan, who not only funds the project through their Creativity in Older Age programme, but also, she says, has an innate understanding and respect for the artist/ facilitator. “Their support and acknowledgement that the project is all the richer because I am a practicing artist is vital as through creating my own work I am energized and therefore able to better share that energy and passion for art with others”

After the exhibitions Orlagh artwork will be gifted to the nursing home and day centre so that there is a permanent reminder of the project. Orlagh hopes that her serene seascapes will continue to bring calm and beauty into these spaces long after the project ends.

At all times the soul of this project is to enhance daily life and the well-being of the residents in nursing homes and day care centres through art..

ACTIVITIES

MUSIC: Muckno Singers. Join and perform!

Weekly Wednesdays 8pm. Monthly directed, weekly self directed. Contact Tara: 087 9208043 @muckno.singers2014

MUSIC: Muckno Junior Choir. Join and perform! Weekly Wednesdays 6.30pm. Monthly directed, weekly self directed. Contact Tara: 087 9208043 @muckno.singers2014

MUSIC: Brass Instruments with Bernard O’Connor Weekly Tuesday 7pm-9pm Contact: 086 0462424

MUSIC: Traditional Music Lessons with Francis in association with Tullycorbet Comhaltas Ceoltoirí | Weekly Fridays 4pm-6pm Contact: 087 2895396 @tullycorbetcomhaltas

DANCE: Line Dancing with Rositta. Come along and enjoy the fun. All ages groups welcome, No Partner Required. | Weekly Tuesday at 7pm Contact: 087 6717807

DANCE: Irish Dancing with McMahon School (3+ years) Weekly Wednesday at 5pm-6.30pm Contact: 087 2469606 @McMDance

YOGA: Yoga with Aimee Harte Bring harmony between mind and body | Thursday evenings Contact Aimee: 087 7734963 or book your place at aimeeharteyoga.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS: EMAC Sports Massage & Reflexology with Jenny. Permanent treatment room in Íontas. By appointment only. Contact Jenny: 089 2436632 @jmck2678

SOCIAL: Socialable Souls with Julie

We are a skills development group for children that struggle socially in social and play situations. Each week we tackle different social skills topics. We do all of this through play, prepared resources and structured activities. Our group is for all children aged from 4-12, with or without a diagnosis of a special educational need who would like help to learn appropriate play skills and to form friendship bonds with their peers | Contact Julie: 086 3923468

SPEECH & LANGUAGE: Speech & Drama Classes with Jessica

The aim of the classes are to develop children’s communication skills whilst promoting clear, confident and expressive speakers. Children engage in drama activities and 1:1 work with their Drama teacher, each week they will learn a small piece of poetry or theory depending on their grade. There is an exam at the end of the third term with the Ulster Academy of Speech and Drama. Each term is 9 weeks involving making new friends and developing confidence. Contact Jessica: 087 0691741

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