A bent knee at a vaguely familiar stranger Another known face driving a taxi, An accent switch when new friends appear - only to be switched once more when they leave, Ori on forehead This series of collages explores how class and race affect how people move through the world, the jobs taken, spaces
How much does a bull weigh? What’s the difference between a heron and a flamingo? How do you make friends at school? Why are children important? What does the rain taste of? These are just some of the questions children have asked during creative book-making projects with Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership, over 28 years of
Mghila Mountain, Tunisia, November 2015. When a group of jihadists attack two young shepherds, Achraf, 13 years old, is forced to bring a gruesome message to the villagers. Traumatized and trying not to lose his mind, Achraf needs to stand strong, confronted with the helplessness of his elders, themselves abandoned by the authorities. Inspired by
As the machines get closer and tear away the precious, wild landscape FEN awakes and rises to save the last curlew egg nestled within it. With the fate of his home hanging in the balance he is guided on his mission by a playful little fox. Fen is a curious, gentle, and moving story addressing
Sketchbook Club is a monthly event that encourages fun and playful art-making whilst also building a community of new, old, professional or hobby artists! The goal is to provide a safe space to create art in a relaxed environment. Make some art, make a friend, or just unwind on a Thursday evening. All art materials
In 1910, Irish humanitarian Roger Casement journeyed to the Amazon rainforest of Peru to investigate horrific atrocities committed against Indigenous communities by the rubber industry. His report—now known as The Blue Book—became a pivotal document in the history of human rights. Over a century later, Peruvian-Irish composer and guitarist Rodrigo Almonte brings Casement’s powerful testimony
What’s in a voice? Thank You for Hearing Me is a powerful short film exploring how our voices shape the way we live, connect, and are heard - or unheard - in the world. Drawing upon a series of raw conversations and creative workshops with participants, this intimate film offers a moving meditation on how
With her stunning 2024 release Come As You Are, Niamh Regan has cemented herself as one of Ireland’s most distinctive songwriters. Nominated for the RTÉ Choice Prize for Irish Album of the Year, Come As You Are is a masterwork of intimate storytelling, rich arrangements, and unflinching emotional honesty. The album marks a bold evolution
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 dates: Monday 15th September, 10am Monday 6th October, 10am Monday 3rd November, 10am Monday 8th December, 10am These workshops
Born in the Bay of Naples and named after a siren of the sea from Greek mythology, 18-year-old Parthenope (an enthralling performance by Celeste Dalla Porta) is fully aware of the power she wields with her great beauty. Her brother Raimondo is captivated and resents the interest Sandrino, the housekeeper’s son, shows in his sister.
Presented by Ouch Productions, Colm O’Grady The Lonesome Boatman follows the incredible adventures of Buttons, a corrupt local politician who gets into his bath and sails away on the rising tides. Upon this amazing voyage, Buttons battles with the sea, the elements and his ego (which is a kind of monster). The Lonesome Boatman is
Filmmaker Sinéad O’Shea (Pray for our Sinners) brings us author, playwright and socialite Edna O’Brien, as she reflects upon her life and career with astounding candidacy. Defying Ireland’s patriarchal, religious constraints with her sexually frank 1960 debut novel, The Country Girls, she became a literary sensation. Vilified in Ireland and escaping an abusive husband, O’Brien was empowered
Kildare Readers' Festival are delighted to welcome Rick O’Shea and Hazel Gaynor as our two guests for the ever popular Ten Books. Rick O’Shea, radio presenter, writer and chair of the Rick O’Shea Book Club online will talk with Author Hazel Gaynor, an award-winning New York Times and internationally bestselling author, whose latest novel Before
Join us for a fly on the wall glimpse into the world of the Irish political landscape during the Rainbow Coalition of 1994 -1997. Shane Kenny, press secretary of The Rainbow Coalition, guides us through the conflicts and conversations which led to the ground-breaking Good Friday Agreement. Be enlightened to the process which established The
Join us for a conversation between Sam Blake and debut authors Roisín O’Donnell (Nesting) and Brendan MacEvilly (Deep Burn). This event presents an exciting opportunity to hear from two rising stars in the literary world as they discuss their debut novels and share their experiences of bringing their stories to life. Both O’Donnell and McEvilly
Our Festival Sunday begins with author Dermot Bolger conducting his traditional public conversation with two guests, author Eoin McNamee and musician Keith Donald, whose recent books – a novel and a memoir – explore their pasts in very different ways. Keith Donald’s memoir, Music and Mayhem charts the immersive and explosive life of one of Ireland’s
Kildare Readers' Festival 2025 concludes with acclaimed novelist, short story writer, playwright and Associate Professor in the English Department at Maynooth University, Belinda McKeon interviewing the newly appointed Writer-in-Residence for Maynooth University/Kildare Library and Arts Services Aingeala Flannery. This promises to be an inspiring talk, offering a glimpse into the creative life of a writer
Introverted 16-year-old Lucia (Jara Sofija Ostan) joins her Catholic school's all-girls choir, where she befriends Ana-Maria (Mina Švajger), a popular and flirty third-year student. But when the choir travels to a countryside convent for a weekend of intensive rehearsals, Lucia’s interest in a dark-eyed restoration worker tests her friendship with Ana-Maria and the other girls.
An introduction to different parkour, movement and acrobatics activities led in a fun and accessible way by team members Louise-Anne Wong and Alessio Motta of circus and dance collective Kundle Cru (performing as part of international show Blame Game at Riverbank Arts Centre on Friday 17 October, 7pm. Suitable for Transition Year students who have
There we are. A dot, suspended in the universe. Everything that ever was or is, all on one blue dot. Welcome to the wordless world of DOTS, where we explore who we are and how we depend on each other. A playful journey to find our place in this world. DOTS is a bold/joyful visual
Join artist Fiyin Oluokun, whose exhibition Family Trees hang over Property Lines currently hangs in our McKenna Gallery, for a hands-on collage workshop. Participants will be invited to flip through newspapers and magazines, before selecting images to intentionally slice and rip up, arranging with fabric to create their own piece of art. All materials are supplied
Blame Game explores the dirty politics of scapegoating. Sometimes we're feeling a pressure cooker of emotions and we need to let off steam. But what happens when that involves unfairly blaming others? Join us for a day in the life of a group of office workers trying to climb the greasy pole of success, competing
Join us for a playful, hands-on workshop for children and their adults inspired by TADA! Kids’ Own Publishing’s archival exhibition, in our Children’s Gallery until Saturday 1 November, celebrating 28 years of creativity and curiosity. Led by Kids’ Own associate artist Brenda Kearney, participants will dive into some of the exhibition’s themes such as play,
...or whatever drink tickles your tits til Friday, be it wh*res on Coors, troubles on bubbles, frisky on whiskey, or zero craic on zero alcohol. Naughty Norma is newly divorced, horny as hell, and believes 50 is the new 30. As she ploughs through her F*ckit List she says F*ck Yeah to her midlife climax.
In a desperate attempt to help his 80-year-old father Lars out of his funk and regain his zest for life, Swedish TV presenter/filmmaker Filip Hammar takes him on a surprise road trip to France, retracing the same car journey their family made every summer during Filip’s childhood. Travelling with his best friend and fellow filmmaker/presenter
The Odd Theatre Company is delighted to present Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s luminous rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar. Telling the story of the final week of Jesus’ life, before his crucifixion, Jesus Christ Superstar has remained both exceptionally popular and powerful since it premiered on Broadway in 1971. Featuring an iconic score that
The Odd Theatre Company is delighted to present Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s luminous rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar. Telling the story of the final week of Jesus’ life, before his crucifixion, Jesus Christ Superstar has remained both exceptionally popular and powerful since it premiered on Broadway in 1971. Featuring an iconic score that
This autumn we will be running an online book club, hosted by LIVE Network Co-ordinator Dani Gill. Dani will lead discussions on books voted for by participants, with a special, meet the author event planned for the November session. Once you have booked for the first session, we will send out a google form, so you
The Odd Theatre Company is delighted to present Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s luminous rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar. Telling the story of the final week of Jesus’ life, before his crucifixion, Jesus Christ Superstar has remained both exceptionally popular and powerful since it premiered on Broadway in 1971. Featuring an iconic score that
‘Spectacular performance…. a thoroughly immersive experience’ - Meath Chronicle on Sightless Cinema Following a successful debut outing at the Riverbank in 2024, Sightless Cinema return with their new show. Dog’s Life is a programme of immersive surround sound audio plays, which are a feast for the imagination - because all the pictures are in your head. Optional blindfolds are provided to help bring
During this hands-on workshop, participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of crochet, including how to make basic stitches, read a simple crochet pattern, and use these skills to create their very own handmade pumpkin. This session is designed for beginners, so no prior experience is necessary. Materials needed to complete the pumpkin will be
Witness the passionate drive of the GAA fused with dance, disco and comedy in HAM SANDWICHES AND DISCIPLINE. From mammies’ sideline screaming, batty umpires, manic pundits, Tayto eating in Croke Park and teenage club socials, we delve into what makes this sport a national tradition. While injecting this hive of Irishness with campiness and humour
Join us for a spooktacular Wet Felt Making Workshop just for kids! This hands-on session will guide little crafters through the magical process of making their very own finger puppet mice — perfect for Halloween play and storytelling. All materials are provided, and no experience is needed. Come get creative, get a little messy, and take
This stop-motion animated feature follows the story of Victor, a young man who is whisked away to the underworld and wed to a mysterious Corpse Bride, while his real fiancée waits bereft in the land of the living. Though existence in the Land of the Dead proves to be a lot more colourful than his
Join Inni-K (Eithne Ní Chatháin) for an engaging singing workshop, where she will teach both a traditional sean-nós song and one of her own compositions from her new album, which she will be launching later the same evening. You’ll even have the opportunity to join Inni-K and band on stage later that evening as backing
Celebrating 15 Years of Emerging Visual Art in County Kildare This landmark exhibition marks fifteen years of the Emerging Visual Artist Solo Exhibition Bursary Award, a partnership between Kildare County Council Arts Service and Riverbank Arts Centre. Pattern Recognition: Architectures of Seeing brings together the work of fifteen artists who have each shaped the visual
Following a three month affair between two anonymous men, Boyfriends charts the ups and downs and roundabouts of a modern situationship. As they swing through four million one hundred and ninety one thousand possibilities of what they might mean to one another, through time, sex, Madonna songs, nightclubs, period dramas and calorie counting, Boyfriends asks us