September 2019
VISUAL ART: THE GREAT IRISH WEATHER EXHIBITION
Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue? Or what makes a rainbow? This family friendly exhibition explores what weather is and how it happens. Get ready to learn about cold fronts and climate change, satellites and scientists, forecasting and broadcasting - and even how storms get their names. Curated by Riverbank Arts Centre, this exhibition is based on The Great Irish Weather Book by meteorologist Joanna Donnelly and illustrator Fuchsia MacAree (published by Gill Books, 2018). Joanna Donnelly…
Find out more »VISUAL ARTS: TOTALLY EAST
Photos by Harald Hauswald Text/Curation by Stefan Wolle Remembering the 30th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, this photography exhibition powerfully portrays everyday situations in the GDR. Harald Hauswald images feature run-down façades, punks and ordinary workers, he simply wanted to document everyday life — without knowing that the Berlin Wall would one day come down. This exhibition gives a unique view into East German life using QR codes that link to short video interviews on YouTube, in…
Find out more »CINEMA: RAFIKI
Hotly anticipated at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, Rafiki tells the story of two young women, Kena and Ziki, who find love despite mounting political and family pressures. Based on Monica Arac de Nyeko’s short story, which won the 2007 Caine Prize for African fiction, director Wanuri Kahiu (Pumzi) adds bold, cutting edge vision to produce one of the freshest Kenyan queer movies to date. Like its equally brilliant predecessor Stories of Our Lives, Rafiki faced a hostile response from…
Find out more »FAMILY: ADOLETA
A-do-le-TA! is a dance theatre piece that joyously explores friendship and play. Come with Joy and Sky into a world where everything is possible - a tent can be a crab, an umbrella can be a cloud and the moon can sing! Through play two friends overcome differences and together imagine, create and expand their reality and yours. Ages 3 - 6 Presented by LittleLion Dance Theatre
Find out more »FAMILY EVENT: InThePicture in association with Sightsavers Ireland
#InThePicture Join Sightsavers Ireland on September 28th for a celebration of art, inclusion and equality. We are celebrating the launch of our brand new #InThePicture engagement programme for primary school children supported by Irish Aid. Join us for a day of art-based fun while learning a little bit more about disability inclusion, community empowerment and the Sustainable Development Goals. Disability inclusion is at the very heart of Sightsavers’ work, whether it is access to education, healthcare or political participation. This…
Find out more »CINEMA: FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY
Rural Ireland during the 1960s; teenage traveller Frances (a break-out performance from Hazel Doupe) has to learn to fend for herself and her brother following her father Michael’s (Dara Devaney) imprisonment. Inspired by her father’s love of Muhammad Ali she develops a passion for boxing. When Michael is released, their peaceful life in the camp in picturesque West Cork is uprooted as he decides to take his family back on the road. Patriarchal and controlling, Michael demands that Frances adhere…
Find out more »October 2019
EARLY YEARS: Little Movers and Shakers – Creative Dance
Little Movers and Shakers - Creative Dance is a movement workshop for parents/guardians and toddlers/young children, where joyful, spontaneous expression is encouraged. Suitable for all, this is an opportunity to dance with your child - or alongside them - and learn some new moves yourself. Selma Daniel is a Dance Artist with over 20 years experience in dance performance, choreography and education. In 2019, she founded LittleLion Dance Theatre who presented A-do-le-TA! at Riverbank Arts Centre in September. 2nd October…
Find out more »SPECIAL SCREENING: THE CAMINO VOYAGE
A crew including a Writer, two Musicians, an Artist and a Stonemason embark on the Camino by sea, in a traditional boat that they built themselves on an inspiring, and dangerous, 2,500 km modern day Celtic odyssey all the way from Ireland to Northern Spain. This intimate documentary charts the trials and tribulations of a voyage that in the words of the poet and crew member Danny Sheehy, took “sweat, blood and blisters to complete while deepening and renewing friendships,…
Find out more »VISUAL ART: In Transition
'In Transition' is an exhibition by Transition Year students from St. Farnan's Post Primary School, Prosperous, Co. Kildare, which took as its starting point the work of iconic photographers including Michael Kenna, Steve Mc Curry and Eliot Porter. Students conducted research and were encouraged to be inspired and influenced by these photographic styles and/or themes, techniques and imagery. Students responded by creating their own photographs, echoing and interpreting these major photographers, using only their mobile phone. The main aim when…
Find out more »LIVE ART: Green Skies, A Double Rhythm
Green Skies, A Double Rhythm is a new provocative site specific performance that looks at the ‘Wrens of the Curragh’; a marginalised community of women that lived in gorse bushes outside the army base in Kildare in the 19th Century. These women worked as sex workers and were outcast from society. Their actions and words are documented only through police, court, prison, hospital and workhouse records. Using the location to contextualise the past and create a discussion around women’s rights…
Find out more »THEATRE: Halcyon Days by Deirdre Kinahan
Patricia has a zest for life and men when she is thrust together with Sean who is languishing in a nursing home. They form a funny and spiky relationship but is friendship the most important thing? Don't miss this humorous and touching play. Deirdre Kinahan is one of Ireland's leading playwrights with recent hits such as Rathmines Road, The Unmanageable Sisters and the internationally renowned Moment. An evening of theatre that will charm you. Not to be missed! Starring Bryan…
Find out more »FAMILY THEATRE: Stick by Me by Andy Manley
When I wake up you are there Ready? Let’s run, play, hide. Follow me Don’t get lost. I will stick by you If you will Stick by me Stick by Me is a quirky, new show about friendship and play, and the importance of treasuring little things. Created by Andy Manley and Ian Cameron, co-creators of international hit show White. Stick by Me was originally presented at Edinburgh International Children's Festival and commissioned by Gulbenkian **** “What a wonderfully wise…
Find out more »CINEMA: DIEGO MARADONA
When Diego Maradona arrived in Naples in 1984, for a world-record fee, the cities cherished football team was transformed from lowly underachievers to Italian and European Champions. Venerated as a God, Maradona was subsumed into a city riddled with corruption, where even the Devil needed bodyguards. The third film from Asif Kapadia, the Oscar-winning director of Amy, is constructed from over 500 hours of never-before-seen footage. Kapadia skilfully unfurls an incredible story of sporting success, the creation of a myth…
Find out more »School Show: The Dig
All his life Mac has wanted to be an Archaeologist, to be an expert in finding things and working out what they mean. If only he could stick to the facts and not get carried away with his highfalutin stories. But in a world where facts and figures mean so much more than fairy tale and fantasy, Mac has to dig deeper to prove what he finds is what he thinks it is. Will people believe him, or is this…
Find out more »School Show: The Dig
All his life Mac has wanted to be an Archaeologist, to be an expert in finding things and working out what they mean. If only he could stick to the facts and not get carried away with his highfalutin stories. But in a world where facts and figures mean so much more than fairy tale and fantasy, Mac has to dig deeper to prove what he finds is what he thinks it is. Will people believe him, or is this…
Find out more »TALK: My Wild Atlantic Journey with Colin Stafford-Johnson
Join wildlife filmmaker Colin Stafford-Johnson on a journey of discovery along the western seaboard of Ireland. Colin has been walking, exploring and filming wildlife along Ireland's wild Atlantic coast over the last 15 years. He recently presented the BBC series 'Wild Ireland - Edge of the World' - that featured some of his highlights. But there are many more! Come and hear tales of adventure and misadventure from years spent tracking down some of Ireland's most elusive creatures - all…
Find out more »WORKSHOP: Come Rain or Shine – STEAM workshop with Future Makers Collective
Riverbank Arts Centre has joined forces once again with the Future Makers' Collective to bring you 'Come Rain or Shine'. In this two-hour workshop, we will be exploring the science behind various weather conditions, including rainfall, wind, tornados, rainbows and sunshine, through our own experiments and some arts and crafts. As one of our many ongoing STEAM projects, this workshop is based on The Great Irish Weather Book by Joanna Donnelly (illustrated by Fuchsia McAree) and is suitable for any…
Find out more »FAMILY CINEMA: PICK OF THE LITTER
Pick of the Litter follows a litter of puppies from the moment they’re born and begin their quest to become guide dogs for the blind. Cameras follow these pups through an intense two-year odyssey as they train to become dogs whose ultimate responsibility is to protect their blind partners from harm. Along the way, these remarkable animals rely on a community of dedicated individuals who train them to do amazing, life-changing things in the service of their human. The stakes…
Find out more »COMEDY: Further Ted
Culchie Warriors brings two of the most memorable characters from Father Ted together for a night of hilarious stand up, sketches and musical comedy plus a chance to compete in a "Lovely Girls" competition. Joe Rooney (Father Damo) and Patrick McDonnell (Eoin McLove) are renowned stand-up comedians with a unique take on Irish society. Between them they have written and appeared in some of the most popular TV comedies of the last ten years; Naked Camera, Killinascully and The Savage…
Find out more »CINEMA: SUNSET
1913, Budapest, the enigmatic Írisz Leiter (Juli Jakab) arrives in the Hungarian capital to seek employment at her deceased parents’ department store. Treated with suspicion she is rebuffed by new owner Oszkár Brill (Vlad Ivanov). But Írisz return precipitates the unearthing of family secrets and a violent, rogue brother, who is wanted for the murder of a Hungarian count. More expansive and less claustrophobic than his Oscar winning film Son of Saul, Nemes once again keeps his camera close to…
Find out more »KRF: Movie Night: The Wind That Shakes The Barley explored by Liz Gillis
This year Kildare Readers’ Festival embarks on a new venture - 'Movie Night' will explore famous books, events or themes through the medium of film. For 2019 KRF has teamed up with the County Kildare Decade of Commemorations Committee to screen Ken Loach's The Wind that Shakes the Barley - a somewhat controversial exploration of the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War. Author and historian, Liz Gillis will be in attendance to discuss her book on the…
Find out more »THEATRE: SPLICED by Timmy Creed
Chalk It Down Productions in association with The Everyman present: SPLICED Timmy is contemplating his 21 years playing GAA. Creed is now bringing sport and drama together exposing his relationship with the fastest field game in the world, hurling. Going along the journey of discovery and self-expression with Timmy is hard hitting, real, and eye-opening to the mental health challenges within sporting institutions. SPLICED is a raw, visceral account of his struggle to become an individual outside the institution that…
Find out more »KRF: Douglas Kennedy in conversation with Rick O’Shea
Kildare Readers’ Festival presents a special event honouring acclaimed writer Douglas Kennedy, international bestselling author of The Big Picture, The Pursuit of Happiness, and The Heat of Betrayal. Douglas will discuss his successful career with radio personality and noted champion of literature, Rick O’Shea. Rick has previously curated the Imagine Arts Festival and has hosted multiple Irish book festivals. Part of Kildare Readers Festival - for details of all events, see www.kildarereadersfestival.ie
Find out more »KRF: Ten Books You Should Read Stefanie Preissner and special guest
Join us for the ever popular Ten Books You Should Read! Our two guests will select five books each that they would recommend and delve into the stories to illustrate why we should give them a try. Part of Kildare Readers Festival – for details of all events, see www.kildarereadersfestival.ie
Find out more »KRF: Joseph O Connor, Kit De Waal and Henrietta McKervey
The Kildare Readers’ Festival is delighted to welcome back celebrated novelist, screenwriter, and playwright Joseph O'Connor (Star of the Sea, Ghost Light, Shadowplay), who will be joined by Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year 2017 winner Kit De Waal (My Name is Leon, The Trick to Time) for a discussion moderated by acclaimed author Henrietta McKervey (What Becomes Of Us, The Heart of Everything). Fans of literary fiction will be treated to an in-depth discussion on various aspects of…
Find out more »KRF: Persona Poetry Workshop with Christodoulos Makris
Participants will be guided by Christodoulos Makris to make use of public texts to compose poetry in the personae of a range of current figures. This is a fun and interactive workshop, with the techniques employed adaptable to writing other kinds of poetry. Participants will also create an 'exquisite corpse' (a communally composed poem). Christodoulos is acclaimed as one of the leading practitioners of experimental poetry. All levels of experience welcome. Part of Kildare Readers Festival – for details of…
Find out more »KRF: The First Page: Writing that compelling opening to your next short story
Pauline Clooney, founder of the Kildare Writing Centre, will lead a workshop about 'openings' and how to make sure that the reader turns the first page and continues with your story. Using a guided free-write as a stimulus, the group will explore the elements of craft expected on the first page of a story, culminating in an opening to their next short story. All levels of experience welcome. Part of Kildare Readers Festival – for details of all events, see www.kildarereadersfestival.ie
Find out more »KRF: ‘Hot Off The Press’ event & Dennis O’Driscoll Literary Awards presentation
Join the participants from 'The First Page' and 'Persona Poetry' workshops led by Pauline Clooney and Christodoulus Makris for a sharing of work created that very afternoon - so 'hot off the press' that it might burn your fingers! We will also present the prestigious Dennis O'Driscoll Literary Bursary awards 2019 to an emerging and professional writer from County Kildare. Come and meet the awardees who will read some of their work, adjudicated by Alan McMonagle, while remembering Dennis O'Driscoll…
Find out more »KRF: Ian Maleney and Jamie Goldrick live audio-visual literary documentary
Author Ian Maleney and film-maker Jamie Goldrick join forces to create a live audio-visual documentary for the stage, based on the text from Maleney’s book Minor Monuments. This collaborative event will weave live readings with ambient landscape sounds, voice recordings, projected imagery and film. Expect a bit of the olfactory too. Produced by Holy Show. Part of Kildare Readers Festival – for details of all events, see www.kildarereadersfestival.ie
Find out more »KRF: Something Wicked This Way Comes with Niamh Boyce, Stacey Halls and Martina Devlin
'Tis the season of Samhain and the Kildare Readers’ Festival will celebrate with an exciting panel discussion examining the depiction and characterisation of witches within the canon of literature. Whether it's horror fiction or historical non-fiction, Witches and Wiccan culture have provided rich material for authors and scholars throughout the years. On hand for a riveting discourse on the topic will be; acclaimed novelists Stacey Halls (The Familiars), Niamh Boyce (The Herbalist, Her Kind) , and Martina Devlin (Three Wise…
Find out more »KRF: Sunday Morning Sessions with Dermot Bolger and John Boyne
Kildare Readers’ Festival is elated that Dermot Bolger (An Ark of Light, The Family on Paradise Pier) will return to our ever popular “Sunday Morning Sessions” for a relaxed and intimate conversation with acclaimed novelist and short story writer, John Boyne (The Hearts Invisible Furies, The Absolutist, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas). In a not-to-be-missed pairing, Dermot will provide an insight into John Boyne’s work and life experience that has led to his success. Part of Kildare Readers Festival…
Find out more »KRF: Emilie Pine and Arnold Fanning in conversation with Emily Hourican
The Kildare Readers’ Festival welcomes a duo of celebrated Irish authors, Emilie Pine (Notes to Self) and Arnold Thomas Fanning (Mind on Fire: A Memoir of Madness and Recovery), for a candid panel discussion on the most intimate of literature endeavours: memoirs. This event will be moderated by author and magazine editor, Emily Hourican (How to Really Be a Mother). Part of Kildare Readers Festival – for details of all events, see www.kildarereadersfestival.ie
Find out more »CINEMA: ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
Los Angeles under a flaming sunset, rows of towering palm trees swaying in the breeze. Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino's latest masterpiece, is imbued with the aesthetics of the City of Angels' inimitable glamour. Set in 1969, this Hollywood pastiche is the filmmaker's ode to the city of his childhood years, and inevitably stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt as Rick and Cliff, inspired by the life of Burt Reynolds. The Hollywood Hills at the height of…
Find out more »ADULT WORKSHOP: Taster Ceramics Workshop with Eleanor Swan
Join and award-winning artist Eleanor Swan for a 2 hour taster ceramics workshop. Participants will explore the possibilities of working with two different types of clay: porcelain and stoneware clay. Each participant will make a birdhouse (as seen in the photo) and a floral decorative porcelain piece. Everyone’s work will be glazed and fired in the kiln on site by Eleanor to be collected at a future date. (the floral piece can be framed for the participant at an extra…
Find out more »EARLY YEARS: Little Movers and Shakers – Creative Dance
Little Movers and Shakers - Creative Dance is a movement workshop for parents/guardians and toddlers/young children, where joyful, spontaneous expression is encouraged. Suitable for all, this is an opportunity to dance with your child - or alongside them - and learn some new moves yourself. Selma Daniel is a Dance Artist with over 20 years experience in dance performance, choreography and education. In 2019, she founded LittleLion Dance Theatre who presented A-do-le-TA! at Riverbank Arts Centre in September. 2nd October…
Find out more »ADULT WORKSHOP: Sewing Workshop for Beginners with Aideen Cross
Join with designer Aideen Cross for a sewing workshop for beginners and improvers who love to create with fabric. Overcome any fears you might have about creating your own clothes and learn the basic sewing machine skills (bring along your own if you have one). We’ll explore a few interesting projects to get you started while enjoying the whole experience of creating with fabric. Aideen will be showing you some tips for home alterations too. Duration 2 hours
Find out more »ADULT WORKSHOP: Animation for Beginners with Paper Panther
In the workshop, participants will create their own hand-drawn morphing animation through drawing on paper and photographing it frame by frame under a camera. The results will be edited offsite and uploaded to the Paper Panther Vimeo page from which the participants can view and download the video. About Paper Panther Paper Panther are an award winning animation studio based in Dublin. In addition to their commercial work and short films, they have been facilitating workshops with participants of all…
Find out more »THEATRE: Madhouse
MADHOUSE is based on the unbelievable true life story of comedian PJ Gallagher. When PJ was ten, his Ma, a nurse, moved six men with schizophrenia into the family home to care for them full time. “It was like this. When you went through our front door and turned right, you were in mad land, where the mad lads lived. And when you turned left - me, Ma, Da and the dog. It was madness. Absolute madness.” It’s raining outside…
Find out more »THEATRE: Shackleton
“Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold... safe return doubtful.” Shackleton tells the story of the sinking of the ship Endurance on the Antarctic’s icy Weddell Sea in 1916, and the subsequent escape of the Irish expedition leader Ernest Shackleton and his crew from the Antarctic over a period of eighteen months, finally arriving to safety at the whaling station in Stromness on the South Atlantic Island of South Georgia. Born close to the village of Kilkea, in…
Find out more »THEATRE: Shackleton
“Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold... safe return doubtful.” Shackleton tells the story of the sinking of the ship Endurance on the Antarctic’s icy Weddell Sea in 1916, and the subsequent escape of the Irish expedition leader Ernest Shackleton and his crew from the Antarctic over a period of eighteen months, finally arriving to safety at the whaling station in Stromness on the South Atlantic Island of South Georgia. Born close to the village of Kilkea, in…
Find out more »WORKSHOP: CREATESCHOOL present BRICK FLICKS
What if your favourite LEGO Minifigure came to life and saved the day? What if we could show you how to make that happen? Well - CREATESCHOOL can, by using the magical art of stop motion animation. You'll work in small teams with like-minded young animators to create short films and learn some of the basic skills of stop motion or master some existing ones if you are already making your own films. CREATESCHOOL tutors love stop motion animation and…
Find out more »WORKSHOP: CREATESCHOOL present DigiTales
Once upon a time ....YOU told a story. A story of adventure...of daring...of danger...of myth...of legend...of falafels - well maybe not falafels. Come along and share your story... CREATESCHOOL present a programme where children learn to make art and tell stories with mobile digital technology. Participants share their stories, realise ideas and gain lots of new skills such as stop motion animation, digital music making, photography and video, podcasting and more . As with all of CREATESCHOOL programmes, there is…
Find out more »November 2019
WORKSHOP: Make Your Own Weather Activity Book with Fuchsia MacAree
What’s your favourite kind of weather? Do you like windy days flying kites, sunny days at the beach or building snowmen on a winter’s day? Learn how to make a guide to your favourite day, from designing a cover to illustrating pages of activities. Using collage and drawing, Fuchsia MacAree illustrator of The Great Irish Weather Book, will show you how to draw characters enjoying the weather and how to put them all together into one fun book to take…
Find out more »WORKSHOP: Creative Writing Workshop for Children with Shane Hegarty
Have you a budding writer in the family? If so, make sure they don't miss this wonderful writing workshop with award-winning author Shane Hegarty as he goes behind the scenes of Darkmouth and brings writing to life with his new creation Boot. For ages 10-13 Shane Hegarty's new book - Boot - follows the adventures of a robot who saves himself from a rubbish tip and, with only two-and-a-half memories as clues, sets off to find his owner. His bestselling…
Find out more »FAMILY MUSIC: ROCKIN’ RHYMES
Did little Miss Muffett jive around her tuffet? Were Jack and Jill bopping up that hill? Was it a funky beat that made the cradle really rock? Rockin' Rhymes is a new music show by Branar Téatar do Pháistí for music lovers aged 2 to 102. It is a rock-n-roll adventure featuring nursery rhymes as you’ve never heard them before. Original songs based on the well-loved nursery rhymes will be performed by a live 5-piece band, accompanied by animated illustrations…
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