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. These interactive creative writing workshops will be conducted via ZOOM or Microsoft Teams (or from April - in-person workshops in our theatre available)
In a small Texan town, a local car dealer holds the “Hands on a Hardbody” competition every year. In this contest, participants selected by lucky draw stand around a brand new pickup truck donated by the organiser, place one hand on the car, and are not allowed to take it away. Whoever holds on the
Ger Carey is back with his hilarious stand-up comedy show for transition year students. By secretly observing his subjects in their natural habitat, such as leaning on lampposts, in chippers, outside chippers, in shopping centres and sitting on any kind of steps, Ger has uncovered the weird and frightening world of the teenager! The aim
StrongWomen Science is a circus science show for children starring two women scientists turned circus performers. Aoife Raleigh is an engineer, Maria Corcoran an environmental scientist. Ever wanted to know how you balance a chair on your chin, if you can juggle liquid, or how circus performers eat fire? StrongWomen Aoife and Maria reveal the
Jason Byrne has been On His Marks since March 2020. Now he’s Set and ready to explode on to the stage. “The Outright King Of Live Comedy” (The Times) is ready to take back and carefully disinfect his crown. How can one man's life continue to fall apart while he is essentially locked in his
In a world where women are expected to have the patience of Mother Teresa, the arse of Jennifer Lopez, the social media profile of Kim Kardashian and the BMI of Elle McPherson the pressure is relentless. Dirtbirds the comedy duo and internet sensation present their hilarious new show ‘No Filters’ which takes a close look
Join us this National Drawing Day on Saturday 21st May. We’ll have a drop-in workshop, focusing on observational drawing and facilitated by visual artist Paul Woods. Drawing is fun and relaxing and this workshop is a great opportunity to try your hand at it and to explore your drawing skills as a family or individually.
In Paris in 1910, millionairess Madame Bonfamille, wills her fortune to her cat Duchess and her three kittens, Marie, Toulouse and Berlioz. Edgar, the butler has other plans, but with the help of O''Malley, an adventurous alley-cat, the ''Aristocats'' are restored to their rightful place. Disney's 20th full-length animated classic, The Aristocats is an unforgettable
Let us take you back to 1980: … Eagles and Fleetwood Mac served-up two of the best live double-albums of all time. Widely regarded as one of the best live tribute acts in the country, The Illegals are back at in 2022 with their ever-popular classic-rock revival show replicating the sound of the world’s two
Bernard Farrell's Canaries was first performed on stage at the Abbey Theatre in October 1980. Since then it’s been a great hit with many audiences. Set in the Canary Islands we meet a collection of colourful characters. From a couple who are not shy about sharing their ‘holiday’ with anyone willing, to a couple of singletons who
The exquisite latest film from writer-director Sebastian Meise, Great Freedom paints a stirring portrait of gay resistance and resilience in post-war Germany. Sensual yet arresting, Austria’s official submission to the 2022 Academy Awards turns a humanist eye towards a heartrending past. Unfolding across three decades, this drama traces the repeated imprisonment of one man under Paragraph 175
PopUpArt Newbridge will be popping up all over Newbridge, including an exhibition in the Foyer Gallery at Riverbank Arts Centre, to coincide with June Fest . "We are delighted to be invited back to the Riverbank where a collaboration of 20 Local Artists will showcase their work from June 2nd – 25th" Curator, Eilis Kavanagh. Drop
There is an emergency in the village of Lúminaria and only Lúna can save them. Join Lúna on an adventure into the sky as she tries to find the light to protect her mother and the villagers from darkness. With an array of wonderful characters played by three amazing actors, colourful puppets and original music, Lúminaria brings
There is an emergency in the village of Lúminaria and only Lúna can save them. Join Lúna on an adventure into the sky as she tries to find the light to protect her mother and the villagers from darkness. With an array of wonderful characters played by three amazing actors, colourful puppets and original music, Lúminaria brings
We now live in very different communities since Covid, with different social norms, what are the Cords that keep us separate or together? In this series of drawing workshops with Visual Artist Clodagh Kelly, participants will be invited to take a ‘Cord’ and create an artwork inspired by the materials. Themes from nature may be
Conor Mahony; musician, songwriter and singer will be returning to performing live to coincide with the release of his upcoming album "Strange country", written with fellow musician Alan FitzGerald with whom he works jointly under the name ‘Dust’. Conor merges a wide range of influences; jazz, blues, and impressionism, melodically, while giving a respectful nod
normal /ˈnɔːm(ə)l/ Following the success of ‘Small Steps’, outdoor exhibition for June Fest 2021, Kildare Art Collective returns with an exhibition of new work, 'Normal', bringing the collective back within the walls of the McKenna Gallery. For this show, artists interpret what Normal means to them. Featuring a diverse range of media such as video,
An intergenerational workshop for families - come and enjoy the energy of group drumming in a friendly environment with Jabba Jabba Jembe. This interactive workshop encourages all ages to learn and play a vast range of Drums and Percussion instruments. Learn about the origins of the instruments, how to play rhythms with your body and voice, discover
Charismatic Peggy Seeger - singer, songwriter, feminist, icon, Ewan MacColl’s partner and muse - is the undisputed queen of folk and political song. On this ‘First Farewell to Ireland’ tour, join Peggy and her son Calum MacColl, an exceptional musician in his own right, for a glorious evening of up-close performance. Expect to hear a
Rose has washed and ironed her cowgirl shirt and skirt. She carries it on a hanger. She likes the way the fringe swings when she wears it. Makes her feel glamourous. Adventurous. Brave. She stands on the empty stage and looks out into the auditorium. Imagining what it will be like when it is full.
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
Join the Doodle Doctor in making a massive Monster Doodle! What kind of monster do you imagine? Are they friendly or scary? How many eyes so they have? How many tongues? Noses?! The Doodle Doctor will be on-hand to help you take part in a massive collaborative drawing on a giant piece of paper. Grab
Are you a young reader? Looking for a new series to delve into? Feeling uninspired by your bookshelves at home? Then pop along to Children’s Books Ireland Book Clinic! Chat to the Book Doctor, consult on your favourite reads and leave with a prescription for your next book which you can take to your local
Ta Tum Tum is an educational music performance with 4 piece band, designed for children and their adults to explore popular music with a Brazilian twist in a creative, integrative and fun way! The performance will be followed by a workshop where children will have a chance to play real instruments from Brazil and learn
Join us for the launch of I Am Edel by Susan Connolly & Cormac P. Walsh, foreword by Emilie Pine. Featuring live performances of four scenes from the play, guest speakers, Q & A and book signing. This stage play is the compelling true story of Susan Connolly’s 11 years as a child in
From lauded director Kenneth Branagh, and starring an acclaimed ensemble cast, Belfast is a personal and joyful story about the power of memory, set in late 1960s Northern Ireland. At the centre of the film is Buddy, a young boy on the cusp of adolescence, whose life is filled with familial love, childhood hijinks, and
Camilla George saxophone Renato Paris keys & vocals Jihad Darwish electric & double bass Rod Youngs drums Daniel Casimir bass Explosive London based band led by award winning Nigerian born saxophonist, Camilla George features many of the leading lights of the UK Jazz Scene. Camilla’s love of fusing African and Western music has made
For children aged 3-6 years and their adults we are still here. we are stuck in the same place. and it’s not a good or interesting place. it’s frustrating, it’s boring and it’s a bit scary. but we can take ourselves elsewhere, both on our own and together because we are still standing, still dreaming, still
For children aged 3-6 years and their adults we are still here. we are stuck in the same place. and it’s not a good or interesting place. it’s frustrating, it’s boring and it’s a bit scary. but we can take ourselves elsewhere, both on our own and together because we are still standing, still dreaming, still
For children aged 3-6 years and their adults we are still here. we are stuck in the same place. and it’s not a good or interesting place. it’s frustrating, it’s boring and it’s a bit scary. but we can take ourselves elsewhere, both on our own and together because we are still standing, still dreaming, still
Pete Kavanagh and band will be performing tracks from his critically acclaimed debut album “Join up the Dots”, at the Riverbank Arts Centre on Saturday June 18th as part of Junefest! 'Pete's debut album (Join Up the Dots) ranks right up there beside the best of new Irish talent over recent decades' Lonesome Highway Pete
Following the death of his wife, professional chef Cheng travels with his young son to a remote village in Finland to connect with a man he once met in Shanghai. Upon arrival, nobody in the village seems to know his friend but local café owner Sirkka offers him accommodation and in return Cheng helps her
Dating Amber is a poignant, honest and funny look at the highs and lows of teenage life where the only way to fit in is to not be yourself, even if this goes against your very being. Set in Ireland (some familiar Kildare locations!) during the mid-90’s, Eddie and Amber decide to stage a relationship
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
After two years of online and outdoor work Griese Youth Theatre are excited to be back on Riverbanks stage. Engaging with five separate scripts that explore the challenges and hopes of youth the performances will take place over three nights. Double Bill on June 23rd @7pm It Only Ever Happens in the Movies - Devised
After two years of online and outdoor work Griese Youth Theatre are excited to be back on Riverbanks stage. Engaging with five separate scripts that explore the challenges and hopes of youth the performances will take place over three nights. Double Bill on June 24th @7pm (Pre-Youth Theatre group 11/12 year olds) Little Big Foot by
After two years of online and outdoor work Griese Youth Theatre are excited to be back on Riverbanks stage. Engaging with five separate scripts that explore the challenges and hopes of youth the performances will take place over three nights. June 25th @ 7pm It Only Ever Happens in the Movies - Devised by Mikel
In 1961, Kempton Bunton, a 60-year old taxi driver, stole Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London. It was the first (and remains the only) theft in the Gallery’s history. Kempton sent ransom notes saying that he would return the painting on condition that the government invested more in care for
Riverbank Arts Centre is delighted to host The Essay and Oisín from writer-director Alba Fernandez and produced by Danilo Zambrano. The Essay is a short about a hard-pressed mechanic who reluctantly listens to her brother's essay about the aftermath of a tragedy. Starring Tom Egan, Sarah Jane Seymour. Oisín tells the story of a single mother longing for connection who
Like his father, JJ McNamara (now 23) was a child prodigy pianist and has enthralled audiences for years all over Ireland, UK and Europe with his dazzling technique and profound musicianship. People would always say to his father Frank, veteran of Late Late Show with Gay Byrne, “ah the apple doesn’t fall too far from
Artzone are back in the venue! Students aged 5-12 years will cover a range of art projects including painting, drawing, materials manipulation and clay construction, with lots of personal design and creativity input. The theme for this year will be ‘Summer Time Fun’ Our camps are run by qualified art teachers, with strict safety protocols,
Riverbank Arts Centre is delighted to welcome Newbridge Youth Training & Development Centre to our Foyer Gallery with their end of year Art Exhibition. "As art is currently taught in education, it leaves a lot to be desired. It is stringent, uninspiring, yet demanding. The students of NYTDC have been given free reign of a
Nine-year-old Cáit (Catherine Clinch) is sent by her dysfunctional family to spend the summer with an Aunt and Uncle she has never met before. Through the tender care of her aunt Eibhlín (Carrie Crowley) Cáit finally feels loved and safe. Despite himself, her uncle Sean (Andrew Bennett) forges a bond and for the first time,
European Poetry Festival - The European Camarade: Ireland Serena Braida and Christodoulos Makris Nick Roth and SJ Fowler Ella de Burca and Michael O’Mahony Samuel Vriezen and Máighréad Medbh Anna Belkovska and Róisín Power Hackett The European Camarade is a pioneering literary event celebrating a near dozen of Europe’s most innovative poets in a unique collaborative
Chart topping and multi-award winning singer- songwriter Megan O’Neill is hosting a week long musical workshop for young people aged 9-12 years exploring songwriting, lyric writing, collaborating and performance. Each student will write at least one full song in these four days (although some will write more) and there will be the option to design
