With artist Michael Holly and special guest Des Egan Saturday 23rd June, 4pm Riverbank Arts Centre In May of this year, artist Michael Holly walked the length of the M7 Motorway, from the Naas interchange to the Rathroe roundabout outside Limerick City, weaving along the secondary roads, the country lanes, the underpasses and overpasses of
The Gerard Manley Hopkins Festival, under the guidance of its artistic director and internationally renowned poet Desmond Egan, is celebrating its 31st anniversary this year. As part of this year’s festival, Riverbank Arts Centre will host an array of International poets including Roger Mc Gough (UK), Fr. Seamus Collins (Ireland), Emilia Ivancu (Romania), Pushpa Parekh
Orla, Eoin and Paul will talk about their arts practice and creative processes and demonstrate some of the media they use in their work. Visitors will be invited to try out some of the techniques discussed. COLLOCATE (to set or place together, especially side by side ) Exhibition by Eoin O’Malley + Paul Bokslag +
Join best-selling writer and raconteur Michael Harding as he reads from his latest memoir, ruminates on the difference between psychotherapy and religion, and relates the story of his pilgrimage to Skellig Michael, in his ongoing search for meaning. “Harding’s latest attempt to find meaning in life is searingly honest, funny and self-deprecating” The Irish Times
As part of Riverbank Arts Centre's First Fortnight programme of events, John Conway will host a panel talk with artists, theatre makers, and musicians who deliver, arts, health and well being projects with the support of Kildare County Council Arts Service. Join us for a presentation of projects that explore the link between arts and
This information session will offer some useful guidance on Arts Grants, Bursary Award and Commission Opportunities available with Kildare County Council Arts Service 2019 for artists, arts collectives and community groups in Co Kildare. All are welcome to this FREE session, but booking directly with Kildare Arts Service through this eventbrite link is recommended. Opportunities
Join Pádraig Kenny, author of the bestselling Tin, as he introduces his new book Pog. Learn about the inspiration behind the book, Pádraig’s journey to becoming a writer, and hear Pádraig read a snippet of his story. David and Penny arrive in a strange new home in a forest. Other creatures live here – magical
3rd Irish Military Seminar Ireland has a long, proud military tradition. The aim of this third annual seminar is to look at all aspects of Irish military history, drawing chiefly on events and personnel from within our nation’s past. Friday, 14 June 18.00 – 21.00 p.m. Reception followed by Jadotville with Leo Quinlan. The Battle
3rd Irish Military Seminar Ireland has a long, proud military tradition. The aim of this third annual seminar is to look at all aspects of Irish military history, drawing chiefly on events and personnel from within our nation’s past. Saturday, 15 June 09.00 a.m. – 16.00 p.m. Full day of presentations from noted historians: Myles
On Tuesday, September 10th, the wait will be over….The Testaments, Margaret Atwood’s highly anticipated sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, is revealed. The momentous literary event will be celebrated with an exclusive live cinema broadcast, as Fane Productions present an evening with the Canadian novelist, poet, literary critic and inventor. The publication of Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale in 1985 and the
The Lady and the Unicorn is a fun multimedia one-woman show. With the aid of a screen and projector and a table full of props Carol O’Neill shares her favourite artworks inspired in one way or another by Celtic mythology. Over 30 artists are celebrated including medieval unicorn tapestries with hidden mysteries, mythical hare sculptures
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
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
'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
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
Join Super Paua, Riverbank Arts Centre, and axis:ballymun to launch the 3rd series of Super Paua Stories, audio stories for young people ages 6-12. In Opowiadania Super Paua the spotlight is on the Polish community in Ireland, with seven brand new stories in Polish and English. You will have a chance to listen to clips
Booker Prize Winner Douglas Stuart talks Shuggie Bain with Irish author Elaine Feeney Douglas Stuart was born and raised in Glasgow. After graduating from the Royal College of Art, he moved to New York, where he began a career in design. Shuggie Bain, his debut novel, won the 2020 Booker Prize and was a finalist for the
LIVE Network and Riverbank Arts Centre present a night of conversation and creative responses to the ongoing legacy of the mother and baby home institutions. Until recently, religious orders and the Irish state operated a network of institutions where thousands of women and children were disappeared into, separated from each other and exploited. Through breaking
With a shared love of history and debate John Bowman and Abie Philbin Bowman are ideal interviewer and interviewee. KRF are delighted to bring you this exclusive interview as they discuss John Bowman's book Ireland the Autobiography: One Hundred Years in the Life of the Nation, Told by its People. This absorbing and highly acclaimed
We need to find a way of talking about the Irish language - about the sublime beauty and profound oddness of this ancient tongue that has been spoken on the island for 2,500 to 3,000 years, and is now slipping slowly from our grasp. What can the word for the lonesomeness of a cow bereft
“A scientist and a comedian walk into a lab...” isn't the start of a joke but the premise behind the “Improv Lab” where a scientist, Dr Shane Bergin, and a comedian, Sharon Mannion, solve problems, answer questions and work as a team to solve scientific conundrums in front of a live audience. The questions and
Bogs are many things to many people. They are a latent source of energy, a refuge, a carbon sink and an archive of history. As islands surrounded by pastoral land they’re often undervalued and misunderstood. They are living, breathing ecosystems with the power to absorb and reveal the past, with resurfacing iron age bog bodies
Four Kildare music artists come together for an evening of song and discussion about the role music can play minding your mental health. Presented in association with First Fortnight Festival 2022, Riverbank Arts Centre is delighted to welcome songwriter and community musician Sive, rapper and writer Dafe Orugbo AKA Max Zanga, singer, songwriter and producer
‘Sacred Conversation’ explores the seen and unseen cords that underlay our instinctual engagement with art and humanity, the spoken and unspoken words between people. Clodagh Kelly (Visual Artist) and Claire Hawkes (Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist) will discuss the ‘Sacred Conversations’ which permeate our conscious and unconscious interactions with art and humanity. Chris McMahon (The Treatment Room) will
A concert and talk featuring acclaimed singer-songwriter and Tipperary woman EDEL MEADE, who released her stunning new solo album BRIGIDS AND PATRICIAS in 2021, described as 'most courageous Irish album of the year" in The Irish Times. A strikingly original artist working in the field of jazz, folk and contemporary music; her voice has been described as mesmerising or magical even,
Secret Poets is the eagerly anticipated debut poetry collection from award-winning poet and playwright, Darren Donohue. Published by Turas Press, Secret Poets charts the poet’s journey through illness and his determination to uncover the sublime hiding within the every day. Darren’s poetry is widely published in journals and magazines including Poetry Ireland Review, Irish Times,
The 6th Irish Military Seminar presents an evening with Ray Goggins, author of Ranger 22:Lessons from the Front, in conversation with Declan Power. ‘The path I have travelled, the things I have done and the people I have met in crisis situations have given me a window into those qualities that make us perform. My
As part of their ongoing exhibition 'Normal', Kildare Art Collective will host a panel discussion at 6pm on Thursday June 23rd in the McKenna gallery, Riverbank Arts Centre. A number of participating artists will discuss their exhibited work as well as their broader art practice. This event is free but due to limited numbers booking
H U D D L E is an informal art discussion reading group devised by Saidhbhín Gibson. The huddles have been taking place since 2017 and in various locations including The Curragh, IMMA and VISUAL. This is an inclusive event for the discussion around contemporary art and associative narratives. A piece of text is provided
Curated by visual artist Clodagh Kelly, Freedom of Choice exhibition offers a glimpse into the lives of ten women. Created by ten participating artists, the exhibition explores a range of topics including mental health, psychiatry and journeys of healing, nature, fertility, childbirth, visibility, homelessness and violence. Join the artists for a panel discussion (7pm) prompted by
A panel discussion exploring a return to the studio, to study, to rekindling and sustaining a creative practice. Join artists Brenda Brady, Maria Ginnity, Clíodhna Ní Anluain and Carolann Courtney (Chair) to discuss their work and their different paths back to a visual arts practice. Brenda Brady Brenda Brady graduated with an MA in Art Research &
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
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
A municipal art collection is a body that is in the process of becoming and so, is not easily defined. The works chosen from the collection for the Finding Form’ exhibition echo this feeling of flux, of taking form, the momentary becoming monumental through time, context and medium. This panel will discuss what it means
We are hosting an introduction to Fighting Words at Riverbank Arts Centre with co-founder and former Chairman, Roddy Doyle. Fighting Words is a free creative writing programme co-founded by Roddy Doyle and Seán Love in January 2009. It operates on the premise that creative writing is an essential part of every child’s education: that giving
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
We warmly welcome you to a panel discussion with Visual Artist Sheena Malone and a special guest, as they explore the role of Irish folk medicine and its wider context. Inspired by her exhibition Folk Medicine, this artist talk expands on the themes present in the artworks. Looking at the historical context of folk medicine
Join visual artist Olga Anacka and guests for an evening of art and shared experience. Inspired by the themes woven through her solo exhibition Patching Femininity, Olga questions societal expectations associated with feminine values and invites visitors to an open discussion. In this honest conversation, the panel will elaborate on aspects of female representation and
19:00 Book Launch Join authors James Durney, Mario Corrigan and John O'Byrne for the launch of their book The Colour of Kildare 1913-1923 . This event will start at 7pm sharp, no booking necessary. 20:00 Missing in Action: The 50-year search for Ireland’s lost soldier In almost 70 years of Irish peacekeeping missions with
9.00-9.30 Registration, Refreshments and Bookshop 9.30 Welcome 9.40-10.20 This land of ire. The Nine Years’ War in Ireland, 1593-1603 Dr. James O’Neill The Nine Years’ War was one of the most traumatic and bloody conflicts in the history of Ireland. Encroachment on the liberties of the Irish lords by the English crown caused Hugh O’Neill,
Join Bullet Points exhibition curator Paula Barrett as she chairs a panel discussion with artists Dominic Thorpe, Michael James Rowley, Claire Halpin, and member of Lord Edward’s Own Re-enactment Group, Monasterevin Barry Walsh. The discussion will be centred around the exhibition and the who, what and how we commemorate. Claire Halpin is a Dublin born
Led by creator and artist Greg Sinclair, this unique talk will offer students an insight into the inspiration, process and creative production of the Seashells film and exhibition. Greg will explore tongue twisters from around the world in a playful and performative way. Inviting students to share tongue twisters of their own...the sillier the better!
Women of Words: A Day of Writing Instinct and Inspiration This afternoon session will feature a captivating conversation between Newbridge author Miriam Mulcahy, (This is My Sea) and acclaimed author Olivia Fitzsimons (The Quiet Whispers Never Stop). They will delve into the various inspirations that fuel their writing endeavours and explore the diverse array of
Artist Noel Hensey presents an artist talk with a difference. Part artist talk, part stand-up comedy routine and part satire on the artworld, Hensey dives into the realities of life as a working artist and the inevitable rejections that must be faced along the way. About Noel Hensey (b. Dublin) currently lives and works in
In this 70-minute talk Manchán explores the rising connection people are having with the spirit and the lore of the land of Ireland. Beginning with the creation myth and origin story that our ancestors have passed down to us, he examines the mythological and archaeological clues to how our forebears identified with both the physical
