Music, Art and Drama take centre stage for Week Two of Newry Arts Festival

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Enjoying the Paint and Sip Workshop at Studio 23 with artist Frankie Bannon, just one of the great events at Newry Arts Festival.

Newry Arts Festival enters its second week following a fantastic opening mix of exhibitions, comedy, music and drama.

Running from 2 to 11 February, Newry Arts Festival is welcoming renowned acts from the Newry area, including the Newpoint Players, Joanne Quigley McParland and the Fews Ensemble, Brigid O’Neill, and top visual artists from across the region. Seminars and workshops for a range of tastes and interests have also been on the menu.

Cllr Michael Savage, centre, Chairperson, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council opening the Newry Arts Festival Art Exhibition in the former Boulevard Restaurant in Newry. Pictured along with the Chair are the artists exhibiting at the venue for the duration of the festival. From left: Cora Harrington, Richard Kelly, Caóilfíonn Murphy O'Hanlon (Cushla of Gullion) and Rozzi Kennedy.

As part of last weekend’s programme, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Michael Savage opened the Festival Exhibition Space at 1 Margaret Square, (former Boulevard Restaurant), where he welcomed artists Caóilfíonn Murphy O’Hanlon, Richard Kelly, Cora Harrington and Rozzi Kennedy. All four artists will be exhibiting their work daily between 10am and 5.30pm.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Michael Savage said, “It is wonderful to see new life being brought into vacant spaces where we can view the work of such talented artists. Newry Arts Festival has been a fantastic and vibrant addition to Newry, and I would encourage anyone who has yet to book their tickets to check out the programme for any remaining available events.”

Among the remaining programme items are two anticipated events by the Newpoint Players – Homecoming in Newry Town Hall on 8 February and Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days in the Imaginarium Arts Centre on Saturday 11 February.

Artist Seán Hillen gives an illustrated lecture on his life and works at Newry and Mourne Museum as part of the Newry Arts Festival.

Since its formation in 1946 Newpoint Players has fed a continuous stream of people into the professional theatre, large and small screen. Homecoming is when some of Newpoint’s illustrious members come home for a soirée of tales, scandal, dramatic readings and maybe even a song.

And for family fun on Friday 10 February, don’t forget to join the StreetFeast Team as they celebrate our farmers, chefs, foragers, distillers and artisans at the moveable food and drink Street Feast in Newry Market.

Other highlights over the coming week include singer-songwriter Brigid O’Neill’s Country Folk with a dash of jazz; Pumps and Brogues – an evening of Scottish Highland Dancing and Irish Dancing at Newry Town Hall, and an exciting blend of eclectic fiddle and guitar music from Zoë Conway and John McIntyre.

Newry Arts Festival workshops have proved popular, so check out remaining tickets for the Early Years Music Workshop, Music and Dementia Workshop, and Intergenerational Music Workshop led by Garden of Music, who believe everyone should have lifelong access to music making.

Tickets and programme details can be found at newryartsfestival.com