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Specsavers in Buttercrane Centre, Newry is hosting a half term holiday coffee morning event tomorrow Tuesday 29 October from 10am to 2pm to raise funds for Action Mental Health.
Specsavers staff chose Action Mental Health as their 2019 charity and to date have raised over £800 for the charity group.
Action Mental Health aims to change the lives of people living with mental ill health and to promote resilience and well bring to future generations.
The Specsavers team will have a selection of eats and treats available in store as well as a welcome cup of tea or coffee and customers can donate cash via the instore Action Mental Health charity buckets.
The Specsavers team plan to present the charity with all monies raised throughout 2019 later in December.
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This weekend Killeavy Castle will be the venue for a celebration of the bards of Creggan. The event, which will take place on Saturday 2 November and Sunday 3 November, will premiere a new Irish play, ‘Hunter’s Moon of Airgialla’, written by local dramatist Rosemary Tumilty.
Incorporating readings presented by the Oriel Dramatic Players, it includes poetry from the 18th century poets of Creggan - Padraig McAlinden, Peadar O'Doirnin, Art McCumhaigh and Seamus Mac Mhurbhaidh. The work is a dynamic fusion of music, song, classic drama and dance celebrating the myths and legends of Oriel, past and present.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “I am delighted to see such an exceptional performance of music, poetry and drama. This promises to be a fantastic night showcasing local talent as well as highlighting some of our most important bards.”
In addition to celebrating local poets, the event marks the 20th anniversary of the Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich Memorial Library and Archive which includes material relating to the growth and development of the GAA and papers relating to local, regional and national history.
The evening will be accompanied by traditional music presented by Dara Vallely and The Armagh Rhymers and followed by ‘The Living Daylights’.
Tickets: £27.50
Buy Online via below links
Saturday 2nd November: BUYTICKETS.AT
Sunday 3rd November: buytickets.at
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The Elvis Spectacular Show is coming to Newry Town Hall this Thursday 7 November.
Prepare to be ‘All Shook Up’ as multi award winning, European Elvis Champion, Ciaran Houlihan gives you all the biggest hits of the 20th century from thee rock n’ roll all-time great.
Accompanied by his incredible TCB band and the talented female vocal harmony group, ‘The Sweet Sensations’, Ciaran will put on a glittering show of greatest hits including, ‘Love Me Tender’, ‘Suspicious Minds’, ‘Always on my Mind’ and much more.
Now in its 23rd year, the show was originally formed by Mervyn Boyd to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Elvis’ death. It has since gone from strength to strength and enjoys sell out performances across the country due to its authentic costumes, created by Elvis’ own costume designers, incredible sound and outstanding production.
‘It’s Now or Never’! Get your tickets now from Sean Hollywood Arts Centre Box Office or call 028 3031 3180.
The Doors open from 7pm with full bar facilities available and the show starts at 8pm.
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A Newry mother and son are part of a new studio album from Dundalk musician Emer Kenny that is inspired by six people giving their first-hand accounts of The Troubles. The album will have a live launch in The Spirit Store, George's Quay, Dundalk at a free event on Thursday November 14 at 7.30pm.
Mary Cunningham and son David were caught up in the Clarke’s Bar bombing in Monaghan Street, Newry on Christmas Eve 1973. Other participants include Stephen Travers, Margaret English, Will Glendinning and Rev Gary Hastings.
The album, entitled Ghosts, is presented by The Playhouse Theatre & Peacebuilding Academy and is a unique endeavour centred on the composition and interpretation of music and songs driven and inspired by first-hand accounts of specific events and tragedies connected to the conflict in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties.
Emer is an internationally critically acclaimed composer, musician, and vocalist living in Dundalk. Her compositions have been used in Hollywood films and major US TV series. As a recording artist, Emer’s first album Emer Kenny was released worldwide by Polygram and sold in excess of 75000. She released two other solo albums in 2000 and 2004 with Gold Circle (Los Angeles) and Artemis (New York) respectively.
In the production and recording of 'Ghosts' with producer and engineer John Murphy, Emer has interviewed and worked with six individuals severely impacted by The Troubles – these include Stephen Travers, a survivor of the Miami Showband massacre, July 1975, who plays bass on the album in addition to reading an excerpt from his book. Giving spoken word testimonies are Margaret English whose father, Hugh Watters, was killed by a car bomb left outside Kay’s Tavern in Crowe Street, Dundalk, Christmas 1975; David Cunningham and his mother Mary, who were caught up in Clarke’s Bar bombing Monaghan Street, Newry on Christmas Eve 1973; and Will Glendinning, who was an Alliance Party Councillor and Assembly Member for West Belfast 1977-1986 and served in the UDR in Armagh in the early 1970s. Also performing on the album is the Rev Gary Hastings, Rector of Holy Trinity, Killiney, a respected traditional musician and academic who has performed with the Chieftains. He is as an expert on Ulster's two- hundred- year- old fife and drum tradition and has been involved with peacebuilding for many years.
This album launch event will include live musical performances from the album, as well as spoken word contributions from those whose stories fed the work.
This event is free to the public as the desire is peacebuilding and the work is centred on the heartfelt stories and lived experiences of those severely impacted by the conflict. It is the intention also that everyone in attendance would be given a free copy of the finished album on CD.
“For most people in Ireland, whether identifying as Irish or British, consciously or subconsciously, there is a subtext of political bias when it comes to the appreciation of music or art from 'the other side'” Emer Kenny said. ''As a musician, up to this point I have only had to interpret classical or traditional music or when writing I felt I only had responsibility for myself. However with this project I was responsible to serve and emotionally interpret the participants stories musically''
The Playhouse is working in partnership with Holywell Trust, Thomas D’Arcy McGee Foundation and Queens University Belfast to deliver The Playhouse Theatre Peace Building Academy.
The PEACE IV Programme is an EU funded Programme designed to support peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the border region. It is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Match-funding for the project has been provided by the Executive Office and the Department for Rural and Community Development.
More information about the project is available from WWW.DERRYPLAYHOUSE.CO.UK
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The new Spring Brochure for Sean Hollywood Arts Centre and Newry Town Hall is out and here is a taste of events to help banish those winter blues.
Cinderella
From 17-25 January and keeping with tradition, Newry Pantomine Players will bring the classical fairytale, ‘Cinderella’ to Newry Town Hall. Don’t miss out on this magical adventure full of farcical songs, music, dancing, and some familiar faces.
A Day With Bruiser
On Monday 20 January, Bruiser Theatre Company will present, ‘A Day with Bruiser’. Working with a range of expert facilitators, GCSE and A-Level pupils will rotate around three dynamic workshops covering text, movement and voice. This will equip them with the skills they need to create exciting devised pieces. The facilitators will work with the students to develop an understanding of the industry as a whole and the day will end with a short, live performance by Bruiser. School bookings are now open and there are 10 bursary spaces available.
Herstory Light Festival
As part of the International Herstory Light Festival, an annual global event celebrating women and equality, the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre will host a series of events from 31 January until 1 February. The first of these events, ‘Growing Old Disgracefully’ on Friday 31 January, is a comedic look at Lua McIlwraith’s joys and woes of growing older. On Saturday 1 February the Arts Centre will host artist, Kevin Dwan who will give a talk about his exhibition, ‘Sometimes She…’ showing in the Carroll Gallery from Monday 6 January until Monday 3 February, featuring 13 statues celebrating the feminine goddess. On the same date there will be a showing of the documentary, ‘He Named Me Malala’ about the young Pakistani female activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Malala Yousafzai, who has spoken out for the rights of girls, especially the right to an education.
The Joxer Esq
Also on show in February at the Sean Hollywood - actor Phelim Drew stars in Sean O’Casey’s, ‘The Joxer Esq.’ – a through provoking gander at one of Irish literature’s most loveable chancers. The playful scrounger from the classic, ‘Juno and the Paycock’, takes centre stage from the pen of Eddie Naughton (Inishfallen Fare Thee Well) on Friday 7 February.
Ruby
Willow Productions also makes a welcome return with the memorable play, ‘RUBY!’ on Thursday 20 February. Written by Michael Cameron, Directed by Colm G. Doran and starring Libby Smyth, the play portrays the darker side of Belfast born, Ruby Murray who was one of the most popular singing stars in the world in the 1950’s. She was the only recording artist in history to have five songs in the top twenty on the same week.
Mother Goose
This month also promises more panto antics by Warrenpoint Pantomime Club in their wonderful production of ‘Mother Goose’, which will run in Warrenpoint Town Hall from Sunday 9 until Sunday 16 February. Rounding the month of on Saturday 29 February, is the incredible David Meade in his new show for 2020, ‘Catch Meade if you Can’. Meade’s funniest and most interactive show yet will be showing at Newry Town Hall - make sure you catch it!
To find out more about all the shows and workshops at the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre and Newry Town Hall, contact Box Office on 028 3031 3180 or pick up a copy of their programme.
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The 2020 NI Science Festival takes place from Thursday, February 13 – Sunday, February 23 and there are three special events being held in Newry as part of the event.
Newry is encouraged to celebrate the science of you, the universe and everything in-between as it plays host to the sixth annual NI Science festival.
Earlier this month the festival announced its programme, which boasts over 270 events taking place over 11 days in February (13-23) across Northern Ireland, with a selection of events scheduled to take place locally.
On Sunday, February 16 the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre will host The Science of Star Wars and The Science of Harry Potter with TV science presenter Jon Chase. Learn about the science behind the wizarding wonders at Hogwarts and the cutting-edge science that inspired the most iconic sci-fi film franchise in cinema history.
At Killeavy Castle on Thursday, February 20 discover The Geology of Food. Be guided through a tantalising selection of locally-sourced products as part of a carefully designed tasting menu. Along the way, discover how the area’s world-class geology and landscape has influenced the way local produce tastes, how it is produced, and why our local products are the best there is.
On Saturday, February 22 at Bagenal’s Castle landscape safari A Journey Through Fire and Ice will take you on a journey to discover our violent volcanic past and the more recent destructive impact of vast ice sheets and how it has gone on to shape the livelihoods of the people that have lived and worked in the Mourne and Strangford areas.
Chris McCreery, NI Science Festival Director, said: “Six years on from the very first edition of the NI Science Festival and the now annual celebration of all things science, technology, engineering and mathematics has grown to become one of the largest of its kind in Europe.
“As the festival grows, so too does the calibre of events and talent we’re able to attract to Northern Ireland. It also acts as a platform to showcase the inspiring natural beauty and ecology on our doorstep plus the truly global reach of scientific research and innovations hailing from NI.”
He added: “This year, we’re delighted to extend the reach of the festival to Newry. Through close collaboration with our regional venues and event partners, plus the continued support of our funders, the festival is working to engage with the largest possible audience by championing STEM in all its forms.”
For more information about NI Science Festival events and to book tickets, visit nisciencefestival.com and keep up to date with the festival on social media via Facebook and Twitter.
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Sean Hollywood Arts Centre in Newry is beginning the new year with a festival celebrating women. The International Herstory Light Festival, which is an annual global event, will kick off on Friday 31 January with ‘Growing Old Disgracefully’. This one woman show by Lua McIlraith is a cabaret style musical extravaganza, celebrating the joys and woes of growing older with songs such as ‘Dieting Woes’ and ‘The Libido Blues’.
The festival continues with showing of the documentary ‘He Named me Malala’ about young Pakistani activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Malala Yousafzai. This inspirational film shows how Malala overcame an attempt on her life and her determination to champion equality and education for young women.
Running alongside the festival, from now till 3 February, is ‘Sometimes She…’, an exhibition and talk by Kevin Dwan, featuring 13 statues celebrating the female goddess.
February continues to be a bumper month for theatre at Sean Hollywood, with a showing of Sean O’Casey’s ‘Joxer Daly Esq’ on Friday 7 February. Set against the backdrop of Dublin in the period between the 1913 Lock Out and the 1916 Rising, the play charts Joxer’s journey from member of the Foresters Association to vagabond.
Finally, Sean Hollywood is pleased to welcome back Willow Productions with RUBY!, a play about Ruby Murray, one of the most popular singing stars in the world during the 1950s. Written by Northern Ireland writer Michael Cameron, the play centres on the darker story of Ruby’s life.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “The new year is bringing an exciting variety of shows, exhibitions and events to Newry, as well as a festival to celebrate women and equality. There is definitely something for everyone to brighten up the long winter days and nights.”
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A bold new comedy by c21 Theatre Company, which takes a timely ‘swipe’ at online dating and appoholics, is showing at the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre on Tuesday 3 March.
Written by award winning writer, Rosemary Jenkinson and directed by c21’s artistic director Stephen Kelly, Dream, Sleep Connect is about disconnection in the digital world.
Chris is working on a technological solution for the Irish border under the beady eye of his boss, Lucy, when he realises he has no one to invite to the office do. He joins Tinder only to find he’s met his match in more ways than one…But before long, Chris begins to ask the ultimate question: Who is watching who?
Well-known Northern Ireland actors, Richard Clements and Maria Connolly, will play the roles of Chris and Lucy. Maria will also play Chris's Tinder dates.
Dream, Sleep, Connect is c21 Theatre Company’s sixth collaboration with Rosemary Jenkinson. Rosemary wrote Dream, Sleep, Connect because she wanted to challenge the Digital Age in a bold, witty way. The hilarious mishaps of Dream, Sleep, Connect’s protagonist, Chris, show ultimately that the only worthwhile connections in life are the human ones.
Rosemary Jenkinson, writer of Dream, Sleep Connect said, “I’m thrilled to be working with c21 and a brilliant cast to present Dream, Sleep, Connect, a brand new contemporary play that tackles the dark side of the Computer Age and has great fun skewering the digital dating scene.”
Artistic Director of c21 Theatre Company and Director of Dream, Sleep, Connect, Stephen Kelly added, “We at c21 are delighted to be working on another collaboration with Rosemary. This time we are looking at a very topical area within society today. Casting two fantastic performers in Maria and Richard will give our audiences a show to remember. Thanks to Arts Council of Northern Ireland we can also tour this production right across the country.”
Caoileann Curry-Thompson, Literature and Drama Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented, “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to support c21 Theatre Company in presenting this latest work from talented playwright and Arts Council Major Individual Artist awardee, Rosemary Jenkinson. This play once again shows that theatre, through the immediacy and intimacy of live performance, is uniquely suited to interrogating and dissecting contemporary life’s most gnarly and complex issues. The Arts Council is committed to ensuring that professional, high-quality arts are available to everyone and are delighted to also support the touring of this new work to theatres across the region. I would encourage everyone to go along for a thoroughly entertaining experience.”
Tickets are £12/£10
To find out more and book, contact Sean Hollywood Arts Centre on 0330 137 4032.
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Newry City Library is hosting an exciting new Micro:bit workshop on Monday 17 February from 2:00pm – 4:00pm.
Young people aged 7 – 11 years are invited to take a step into the world of coding using micro:bits. The micro:bit is a handheld, fully programmable computer which can be used for lots of creative activities from robots to musical instruments.
It has many features including 25 red LED lights that can be used to flash messages, can detect motion and tell you which direction you are travelling in. The micro:bit uses a low energy Bluetooth connection to interact with other devices and the Internet.
This workshop, facilitated by leading creative media arts centre, the Nerve Centre, will introduce participants to coding and how the micro:bit works, how to transfer code before creating a digital pet using the micro:bit and crafts.
This fun, educational event is free to attend and spaces are limited. To book your place please contact Newry City Library on telephone 028 3026 4683 or email newrycity.library@librariesni.org.uk
Micro:bits are available for loan in every library and mobile library. Visit www.librariesni.org.uk for more information.
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