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Andy Irvine & Dónal Lunny

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Two giants of the Irish trad scene, Andy Irvine and Dónal Lunny are uniting for an evening of great music, a mixture of traditional songs, and originals composed by Andy. Between them, Irvine and Lunny have been at the helm of legendary bands like Sweeney’s Men, Planxty, The Bothy Band, Mozaik, LAPD and recently Usher’s

€28

Into the Deep: Stories of exploring the underwater world of the North Atlantic with Ken O’Sullivan 

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Ken O’Sullivan talks about his life and experiences as an underwater cameraman, documentary filmmaker and ocean conservationist in Ireland’s Atlantic waters. From freediving with blue whales, the largest animal ever to have lived, to filming sharks, dolphins, and the magical underwater world around Ireland and his family’s 250-year history on Fenit Island, Co. Kerry.  Ken

€10 – €17

I See You Like This – Drop-In Photo Portrait Making

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Ever wondered how you look through a child’s eyes? Are you whacky and wonderful, or a little spikey and colourful? Join Aussie artist Jessica Wilson, as she facilitates a weekend of photo-portrait-making where your child is pulling the shots! With a child centred vision, I See You Like This invites each child to art direct

Free Event
Recurring

Fighting Words for Secondary School

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge is the Kildare Partner of Fighting Words. We present creative writing workshops for primary and secondary schools. Fighting Words workshops are always free of charge to the participants. Upcoming Fighting Words Workshops for Secondary School: Monday 18th September, 10:30am Monday 2nd October, 10:30am Monday 16th October, 10:30am Monday 6th November, 10:30am

Free

An Tolg Liteartha

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Mórimeacht liteartha na Gaeilge ag a gcuirfidh an sárchraoltóir, Tristan Rosenstock (RTÉ), agallamh ar bhuaiteoirí na nGradam Foilsitheoireachta 2023 - Gradam Réics Carló (Leabhar na Bliana don Léitheoir Óg); Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin (Leabhar na Bliana don Léitheoir Fásta); agus Gradam de Bhaldraithe (Leabhar na Bliana do Shaothar Aistrithe go Gaeilge ó theanga eile). Mar chuid den ócáid, labhróidh Tristan leis na criticeoirí

Free event

KILDARE READERS’ FESITVAL – Chat LGBT: A Question of Queer Irish Literature

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Katherine O’Donnell (Slant) and Declan Toohey (Perpetual Comedown) discuss and read from their debut novels which were published this year and add to the growing canon of queer Irish literature. Slant by Katherine O’Donnell is a ground-breaking Irish lesbian love story, set across the decades from the 1980s AIDS crisis to the 2015 marriage referendum.

Free, booking advised

I See You Like This

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

With our ever-growing appetite to document our lives through photos and selfies, children are so often the reluctant subjects of their parent’s cameras; asked to smile, look natural, look that way, and come in closer. I See You Like This turns the camera back and allows children to see their parents as subjects through the

Admission Free

KILDARE READERS’ FESTIVAL – Creeping It Real: The Rebirth of Female Horror

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Join us for an evening with Sophie White and Rick O’Shea as they discuss Sophie’s writing. Sophie’s novel Where I End has recently won the Shirley Jackson Award which recognises “outstanding achievement in the literature of psychological suspense, horror, and the dark fantastic.” Where I End is a story of psychological and physical horror with a shattering

free, booking essential

KILDARE READERS’ FESTIVAL -Ten Books with Eithne Hand and Gerry Stembridge

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Join us for the ever popular Ten Books You Should Read! Our two guests, Eithne Hand and Gerry Stembridge will select five books each that they would recommend and delve into the stories to illustrate why we should give them a try. ISL/Irish Sign Language interpretation will be available for this event.

free, booking essential

KILDARE READERS’ FESTIVAL – The Deadwood Encore with Kathleen Murray and Ed O’Loughlin

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Join acclaimed short story author, Kathleen Murray as she discusses her first novel, published by Harper Collins in 2022 and described as ‘the Coen Brothers of Carlow’ with author, journalist & correspondent Ed O’Loughlin. The Deadwood Encore tells the story of Frank Whelan, a seventh son of a seventh son, and his journey of self-discovery.

free, booking essential

KILDARE READERS’ FESTIVAL – Tangled Webs – Book Launch with Maria McDonald

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Join us for the launch of Maria McDonald’s new novel Tangled Webs. Jane Best and Agnes Williams are known in Belfast for taking in lodgers at Riverdale House, the business they started together after losing their husbands in the Anglo-Zulu War. For forty years, they’ve welcomed young women in need of a respectable place to

Free event

KILDARE READERS’ FESTIVAL – Poor: Grit, courage, and the life-changing value of self-belief

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Join Katriona O’Sullivan and a guest for a discussion on Katriona’s book Poor. Poor is a memoir describing the impact of childhood poverty.  Katriona's story recounts her journey from poverty, teenage pregnancy, homelessness to graduating with a PhD from Trinity College Dublin and becoming an award-winning lecturer whose work challenges barriers to education. Poor is her stirring argument for the importance of giving hope, practical

free, booking essential

KILDARE READERS’ FESTIVAL – Sunday Morning Session: Judith Mok & Michael O’Loughlin in conversation with Dermot Bolger

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Writer and soprano, Judith Mok was born in Holland and studied at the Royal Conservatory of the Hague. She has toured the world as a classical soprano, moving to Dublin in 2002, where she is a leading voice coach working with noted singers from the classical and pop worlds. Her books include the novels De Beul (2000) and Gael (2006),

free, booking essential
Recurring

Fighting Words for Primary School

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge is the Kildare Partner of Fighting Words. We present creative writing workshops for primary and secondary schools. Fighting Words workshops are always free of charge to the participants. Upcoming Fighting Words Workshops for Primary School: Monday 25th September, 10:30am Monday 9th October, 10:30am Monday 27th November, 10:30am Monday 11th December, 10:30am

Free

Beau is Afraid

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Beau Wasserman lives in a constant state of paranoia and anxiety. He plans to visit his mother, but disappoints her when he misses his flight. When his mother is then killed in a freak accident, Beau scrambles to make the funeral. However, he keeps encountering strange and treacherous obstacles - beginning with a chaotic home

€7 – €9
Recurring

Humans: A Robot Musical

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

The seventh best musical robot group in the world - well, they were fifth but it went to their heads - are making a NEW musical. It’s going to be performed to all robots everywhere and it’s going to explain what Humans are. Everything will be fine, they just need some answers. Meanwhile 10 year

€6

WhistleBlast: Petrushka & More for Schools Galore!

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

By Igor Stravinsky Arranged by Conor Linehan Nationwide multimedia performance of a fantastic and famous symphonic classic plus other great repertoire to give young secondary school students an introduction to incredibly moving composed live music in a highly accessible concert. Art and music linked together to tap in on young people’s imaginations to encourage an

€30

The Ennio Morricone Experience

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

This recital highlights Ennio Morricone’s masterpieces and brings the listener on a wonderful journey in celebration of the Maestro’s great contribution to Italian & International music and to the world of film. Accompanying his wonderful pieces, The Ennio Morricone Experience will also perform compositions by the musicians that inspired him, and his fellow Italian composers

€20 – €22

The Curious Case of Albert Cashier: Lincoln’s ‘Lady’ Soldier

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

 “Lincoln wanted soldiers. I wanted excitement”                        Belvidere, Illinois, 1862: A young Irishman, Albert D.J. Cashier, enlists with the Union Army in the Civil War and becomes a decorated hero. But unknown to his comrades, Private Cashier is waging an internal war all of his own. When he is fifty years a veteran an indiscreet doctor

€16 – €18
Recurring

Fighting Words for Secondary School

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge is the Kildare Partner of Fighting Words. We present creative writing workshops for primary and secondary schools. Fighting Words workshops are always free of charge to the participants. Upcoming Fighting Words Workshops for Secondary School: Monday 18th September, 10:30am Monday 2nd October, 10:30am Monday 16th October, 10:30am Monday 6th November, 10:30am

Free

Small, Slow but Steady

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

An award-winning sports drama. Keiko surprises everyone when she overcomes adversity to win her first two boxing fights. But when an unexpected incident threatens the closure of her gym, she is pushed further than she thought possible. A powerful adaption of Keiko Ogasawara's memoir Makenaide! Directed by Shô Miyake | 99 mins | Cert TBC

€7 – €9
Recurring

Music & Sensory Play with Catherine Hartnett

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Music and sensory play class for toddlers aged 1 to 3 years and parents in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Toddlers will be given the opportunity to learn through music, movement and play, and explore different textures and sounds. This class, led by music teacher Catherine Hartnett promotes adult-child interaction as well as interactions between

€10
Recurring

Lost Lear by Dan Colley

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

“Who is it that can tell me who I am?” - King Lear, Act I Scene IV Following the national and international tour of A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings, Dan Colley and his company have turned their sights on a very (very) loose adaptation of King Lear, examining the self and that part

€16 – €18
Recurring

Lost Lear by Dan Colley

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

“Who is it that can tell me who I am?” - King Lear, Act I Scene IV Following the national and international tour of A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings, Dan Colley and his company have turned their sights on a very (very) loose adaptation of King Lear, examining the self and that part

€16 – €18

Sunlight

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Former heroin addict Leon (Barry Ward) loves his best friend Iver (Liam Carney), his former sponsor, the man who saved him.  Now Iver is terminally ill and Leon is his devoted carer. But Iver has decided to end his life on his terms, peacefully, with the assistance of nurse Maria, who specialises in assisted dying.

€7 – €9
Recurring

Newbridge Musical Theatre Presents Thank You For the Music – A Tribute to ABBA

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Experience the incredible music of ABBA live this October as Newbridge Musical Theatre presents Thank You For The Music: A Musical Tribute To ABBA. Featuring many of Kildare’s leading performers, Thank You For The Music celebrates the iconic hits of one of the greatest and most beloved pop groups of all time. From early chart-toppers such as

€15
Recurring

Newbridge Musical Theatre Presents Thank You For the Music – A Tribute to ABBA

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Experience the incredible music of ABBA live this October as Newbridge Musical Theatre presents Thank You For The Music: A Musical Tribute To ABBA. Featuring many of Kildare’s leading performers, Thank You For The Music celebrates the iconic hits of one of the greatest and most beloved pop groups of all time. From early chart-toppers such as

€15
Recurring

Halloween Flipbook Animation Workshop with Joseph Orr

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Spooky season is upon us and what better way to celebrate than to delve into the frightful world of flipbooks. Join us for this 90-minute workshop where you will learn to create a flipbook animation featuring your favourite Halloween monster. Flipbooks are ideal for those interested in drawing and animation. You will learn how to

€12

Mavka: The Forest Song

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

In an enchanted Ukrainian forest, a spirited Mavka nymph falls in love with Lucas, a village artist. Their forbidden romance faces challenges from disapproving spirits and Mavka's protective father. As a dark force threatens the forest, Mavka and Lucas embark on a journey to save their worlds, learning about love, bravery, and the interconnectedness of

€4

Fred Cooke & Julie Jay’s Marriage Counselling

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Fred Cooke ("I love Fred" - Tommy Tiernan) and Julie Jay ("Riotous Comedy" - The Irish Times) are back with their show Marriage Counselling, so-named because their relationship is quite literally hanging on by a thread. This year they are thrilled to be up the duff again after Julie orchestrated a surprise pregnancy, with her

€22

Music Network Presents Sultan Stevenson Trio with special guest Denys Baptiste

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Led by a trailblazing young pianist and composer the Sultan Stevenson Trio is taking the UK jazz scene by storm. Add legendary saxophonist and Mercury Music Prize winner Denys Baptiste and you are in for a real musical treat this October. Stevenson has emerged as a musical force to be reckoned with, and his trio

€15 – €18

BrickFlicks and Movie Making Halloween Camp

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Become an animator and a film-maker in this special BrickFlicks and Movie Making Halloween Camp! Witches will fly and houses will be haunted as you learn how to build spooky animations. Then turn the camera around and create your own haunted live action movie.  With plenty of hands-on learning and simple demonstrations, Createschool will take

€100

Halloween Art & Craft Camp with artist Virginia Byrne

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Get ready for a fun four-day program designed to unleash your imagination and storytelling skills! This course, tailored for kids aged 8 to 12, offers a dynamic exploration of creativity, and bringing ideas to life through engaging activities. The program is divided into two modules. During days 1 and 2, you'll immerse yourself in the

€120

Recurring

I AM BABA

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

I AM BABA a show for babies aged 0-12 months created by Anna Newell Funded by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon Presented in association with The Civic, Tallaght I AM BABA is a theatre adventure for babies created by internationally renowned theatre director Anna Newell (www.annanewell.ie) and composer David Goodall.  Their shows for early years have

€10

COMEDY: Chris Kent – Back At It

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Cork man Chris Kent makes his first appearance on Riverbanks stage with his brand new show Back At It. After a dose of the real world (having gone back to the day job as an electrician), Chris found himself with two jobs and the ridiculous notion of trying to buy a house. It turns out

€20

The Perfect Immigrant

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

After a sold-out run at The New Theatre, Dublin Fringe Festival 2022 and a short run at Smock Alley 2022, The Perfect Immigrant is on tour! What else does a young Black man have to say if it isn’t about racism? Too busy trying to be an adult, leaving Nigeria and settling in Ireland, he

€14 – €16
Recurring

Fighting Words for Secondary School

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge is the Kildare Partner of Fighting Words. We present creative writing workshops for primary and secondary schools. Fighting Words workshops are always free of charge to the participants. Upcoming Fighting Words Workshops for Secondary School: Monday 18th September, 10:30am Monday 2nd October, 10:30am Monday 16th October, 10:30am Monday 6th November, 10:30am

Free

Afire

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Writer Leon and photographer Felix travel to a holiday home on the Baltic coast for the summer - Leon needs to finish his second book, while Felix works on his portfolio. Their plans are upended when they arrive to find Nadja, an unexpected houseguest, already settled in. Initially irritated by the fun-loving Nadja and her

€7 – €9
Recurring

Out of the Ordinary / As an nGnách – Virtual Reality Opera Experience

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Experience the world’s first virtual reality community opera with Irish National Opera. A virtual reality community opera about winning/losing society’s battle for survival. Your in-the-moment reactions decide what ending you will see. Out of the Ordinary/As an nGnách tells the tale of a community forced to flee their barren homeland, which, due to their own actions,

€5

Out of the Ordinary/As an nGnách – Virtual Reality Opera Experience

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Experience the world’s first virtual reality community opera with Irish National Opera. Out of the Ordinary/As an nGnách tells the tale of a community forced to flee their barren homeland, which, due to their own actions, can no longer sustain them. Nalva, our main character, builds a boat to take her people on an epic journey

All The President’s Books – An exhibition by Peter Donnelly

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

All The President’s Books is a picture book exhibition by artist Peter Donnelly based on his bestselling series of children’s books. In 2017 Peter pitched his first idea to the publisher, Nicki Howard at Gill Books. The President’s Glasses went on to become the best-selling picture book of the year and was shortlisted in the

Admission Free

County Kildare Decade of Commemorations Committee Presents Birth of a Nation

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

County Kildare Decade of Commemorations celebrate the end of a successful programme with a musical extravaganza set against the backdrop of Irish history up to the founding of the modern Irish State. The Birth of a Nation concert features songs and music from the period. It was a time of significant change, which impacted the

Free event, booking advised

Kildare Jazz Festival: Gustavo de Morais Quartet

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Gustavo de Morais Quartet brings the essence of Brazilian music with a contemporary touch, they bring in their repertoire compositions of renowned Brazilian composers as well as original compositions. GUSTAVO DE MORAIS - GUITAR Gustavo de Morais, a Brazilian guitarist living in Ireland, blends his Brazilian background with modern music. He accompanies and improvises, bringing

€10

Kildare Jazz Festival

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

We are thrilled to announce that the inaugural Kildare Jazz Festival will take place in Riverbank Arts Centre this November. Curated by Kasia Eliasz and supported by the Festival Investment Scheme Funding from The Arts Council and Riverbank Arts Centre, the Kildare Jazz Festival is set to become a highlight in Kildare’s music calendar. Friday

Kildare Jazz Festival: Lauren Kinsella Trio

Riverbank Arts Centre Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland

Award winning vocalist Lauren Kinsella brings her new trio to Kildare Jazz Festival featuring two highly acclaimed British musicians; saxophonist Julian Siegel and pianist Liam Noble. Together the trio will explore some of the most celebrated song writers and singers in history from Dolly Parton and Sarah Vaughan to Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee in

€10