Droichead Arts Centre | Stockwell Street | Drogheda | Co. Louth
Whats On
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DRAWDA | Drogheda Urban Art and Audio Trail
Date:
- 17/08/2025 at 3pm
- 23/08/2025 at 1pm
- 31/08/2025 at 3pm
Time: 1pm & 3pm
Cost: €10 per person/€20 for A family of 4
Drogheda Urban Art Trail Tours – Embracing our mythological past.
Limited Availability. Advance booking is essential.
€10 per person/€20 for A family of 4.
Produced by Droichead Arts Centre in partnership with LOVE Drogheda BIDS.
DRAWDA is a series of eight outdoor murals throughout the town focusing on key figures and moments from Ireland’s mythological past, complemented with an audio tour available via your smartphone.
Three in-person guided tours will take place over August on Sunday 17th (Grainne Rafferty), Saturday 23rd (Anthony Murphy) and Sunday 31st (Grainne Rafferty)
On the Day: Meet at Droichead Arts Centre, Stockwell St. 10 mins before the tour begins, and pick up your mural map, and meet our tour guides: Actress/writer -Grainne Rafferty, or Mythologist, Anthony Murphy. Then, take a stroll throughout Drogheda and listen to the mythological stories behind the murals! You can also download the map in advance: DRAWDA Urban Art Trail Map
ETÁIN, the heroine of Tochmarc Étaíne, one of the oldest and richest stories of our Mythological Cycle on Meat Market Lane is by Nina Valkhoff, a painter/muralist from Rotterdam.
FIONN MACCUMHAILL AND THE SALMON OF KNOWLEDGE by artist Ciarán Dunlevy, from Drogheda on the Fitzwilliam Court building in Dyer St.
BOANN, Goddess of the Boyne by Lula Goce (Spain), at Abbey Lane.
DAGDA, the leader of the Tuatha Dé Danann has taken pride of place on Laurence St and is by Muralist/Painter Russ, from France.
AMERGIN by AERO, also from France, the story of Ireland’s famous bard, poet and judge of the Milesians. This mural can be seen at Drogheda Port beside Goodwood Fuels.
THE MORRIGAN on Patrick St by This Is Friz, an artist currently based in Bangor, Co. Down depicts this is a Triple Goddess.
THE CAILLEACH, by Vera Bugatti the divine sorceress and mother goddess associated with the creation of the landscape and ancient monuments.
BALOR on the side of Scotch Hall, Marsh Rd., the latest addition to the tour, by Spanish artist Moxaico. A leader of the Fomorians, a group of supernatural beings often depicted as antagonists in Irish myths Balor is known for his evil eye, which could cause death or destruction when opened and is known for the battle between the Fomorians and the Tuatha De Danann.
Beside 6 of the murals, you can download the Audio Trail:
Credits: Stories by Anthony Murphy. Adapted by Gráinne Rafferty. Performed by Niall O'Brien and Gráinne Rafferty. Original soundscape by Niall Gregory. Sound Editor Sean McCluskey at Basement Sounds.
DRAWDA is a legacy programme, making use of shared public outdoor streets & walls, and engaging with a new and wider audience. Working with local collaborators, the local authority and key cultural providers, it has created a visual vibrancy and a cascade of colour in the town, reinvigorating derelict public places and streets. The project is inclusive, and has supported over 16 artists in its delivery to date.
Produced by Droichead Arts Centre in partnership with Love Drogheda BID. Funded by Louth County Council, Fáilte Ireland Urban Animation Fund, the Arts Council in the Open, Faoin Spéir Initiative, and Town & Village Accelerated Measures funding. Supported by the Marcy Hotel, Murtagh's of Drogheda, Colour Trend, and Drogheda Complete Hire.
Slow Sessions 2025 | Droichead Arts Centre | Drogheda, Co. Louth
Droichead are delighted to announce the continuation of their Slow Sessions with Brendan McCreanor. Capacity is limited so early booking is advised.
These sessions are for players of any instrument and at any level. A selection of easy and well known session tunes will be played slowly so that people in the early stages of their playing, or those coming back to playing music, have the opportunity to play together in a friendly, supportive and informal context. More experienced players who wish to refine their techniques and extend their repertoire at a slower pace are also very welcome.
Brendan McCreanor is a multi-instrumentalist and an accomplished uilleann piper. He is also a founding member of the traditional/folk band Kern, a fully qualified musician in healthcare and is a member of Baile an Salsa, whose music fuses salsa and Trad elements.
Brendan is a passionate advocate of traditional Irish music and has significant experience teaching children and adults in a range of instruments including Uilleann pipes, whistles, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo and flute. Brendan holds degrees in Applied Music and Creative Multimedia.
Participants will learn a selection of popular session tunes including a couple of local ones from Co. Louth and well known tunes from across the country. Through engagement with the slow session, participants will develop their repertoire to include jigs, reels, slides, polkas and hornpipes, and will learn about the timing of the different styles and a little about the history and origins of the tunes.
Essentially, the objective of the slow sessions is to enable participants to learn new skills, develop ability and enjoy the immersive experience of the seisiún in a relaxed manner.
Music will be provided in advance, by email, and the session will be live in the venue. Each session is 90 mins-2 hours long with a 5 min break midway.
Night Moves Late Night Cafes | August 22 2025
Date: 22/08/2025
Time: 9:45pm & 10.45pm
Cost: Free Events
On Friday, 22 August, once again three popular local cafés – The Coffee Box, Il Forno, and The Bare Food Café – will stay open late into the night as part of Night Moves, an innovative late night cultural programme led and produced by Droichead Arts Centre, curated by singer/songwriter, SJ McArdle, in collaboration with Drogheda’s Night-Time Economy Adviser and supported by the Drogheda Purple Flag group.
Each venue will host a free, curated evening of live music, food and good conversation – creating welcoming, relaxed spaces where people can enjoy the town in a different way. These cafés are championing a more diverse night-time offer and helping trial what a more balanced evening economy might look like. We are taking bookings on our website for our late-night cafes, but we also encourage audiences to drop in on the night!
This time round artists include composer, instrumentalist, bandleader and one of the foremost session guitarists in the country Tadhg Leahy accompanied by Stephen Carolan; genre-blending Irish duo Negro Impacto who bring fresh energy to alternative R&B with soulful vocals, and a night of punk funk, garage rock anthem, prog and dub reggae brought to you by local vinyl Flower Power, and Spiral producers, Jaz Hastings and Kelly Hoyne.
Booking:
IL Forno: Book here
Bare Food Cafe: Book here
The Coffee Box: Book here
Produced by Droichead Arts Centre and delivered with various curators, promoters & alternative venues, supported and funded by the Night-Time Economy Advisor in Drogheda and the Arts Council. The programme encapsulates a vision of extending cultural offerings, fostering partnerships, & creating diverse opportunities for artists & audiences.
Droichead Presents Drama | Theatre Club Autumn/Winter 2025
Date: 05/09/2025 – 29/11/2025
Time: 20.00
Cost: Seven great plays for €76
Set up in 2017, and heading into its 15th season, Droichead Theatre Club brings audiences together to see a play, and like a book club, our audiences can share their views, thoughts and impressions informally post show with the cast and creatives. If this is your first or your 50th play, it doesn't matter, come along, and be part of the drama at Droichead.
BOOK ONLINE or Call 041 9833946
THE REVENGERS TRAGEDY | CREATED BY +353 WITH KEVIN KEOGH
FRI 5 SEPT
DIRECTED BY KEVIN KEOGH
Words are just words, and knives are just knives, right?
Scored by beats from the world of hip-hop sub-genre, drill, where words are weapons and bodies are battlegrounds, two men wrestle with lust, shame, and revenge. This chopped and screwed reimagining of Thomas Middleton’s 1606 play serves as an exploration of often self-imploding masculine ideologies of vengeance.
Performed with a live orchestra, sliding 808’s, and floor-shaking bass, come experience this modern encounter with Jacobean verse and one of Ireland's most prominent underground subcultures.
Funded by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon & Dublin City Council. Developed at Dublin Fringe Festival Studios, Mermaid Arts Centre & axis Ballymun. Supported by THISISPOPBABY, Fishamble's New Play Clinic, Droichead Arts Centre & field:arts.
MEN IN MOTION | IRISH MODERN DANCE
THURS 11 SEPT | 8PM |
An evening of three athletic and hilarious dance pieces, earning rave reviews and standing ovations in the Abbey, Edinburgh Fringe and New York by Irish Modern Dance Theatre.
The central work is iconic American Choreographer, Merce Cunningham’s stunning ‘Solo’ followed by firm favourite ACTIONS - a sweeping, vigorous duet by French dance sensation, Boris Charrion and acclaimed Brazilian dancer Vini Martins Araujo. John Scott’s Beckett-like Bowing Dance, completes a programme brimming with energy and adventure.
OCTOPUS CHILDREN BY FELISPEAKS | THISISPOPBABY
THU 18 SEP | 8PM | €18/€16
DIRECTED BY OONAGH MURPHY
My Nigeria happened in Longford town
Octopus Children follows Young Felicia coming of age as a queer, “Black Irish midlands culchie” grappling with the layers of their identity and the responsibilities that come with it, led by a wise guide: The Octopus.
Part poetic landscape, part gig theatre, Octopus Children marries FELISPEAKS’ signature spell-binding spoken word style with choreography by Tobi Omoteso, music by Anna Mullarkey, and stunning visual design by Therese McKeone, Jack Phelan and Sarah Jane Shiels. This powerful premiere invites everyone into the Black and Irish experience, and encourages anyone on the fringes to step forward unapologetically, without retreating their tentacle
Funded by The Arts Council, Dublin City Council and co-commissioned by THISISPOPBABY and Droichead Arts Centre
AROUND THE HEAD BY GRAINNE RAFFERTY
THU 25 SEPT | 8PM |
DIRECTED BY JJ HARRINGTON
"I swam like my mother: I never got my hair wet, and I could probably smoke a cigarette. I really only did it for the cake and coffee afterwards..."
An exploration of one woman's perseverance, her connection to the sea, and the restorative power of nature. A compelling piece of immersive theatre not to be missed.
THE SPECIAL EVENT BY CAROL ROONEY | WORK IN PROGRESS | Droichead presents New Drama
THU 2 OCT | 8PM |
DIRECTED BY LESLEY CONROY
Dubbed the best affordable egg chair, surely its worth spending a Sunday morning queuing for. Unlikely company are forced to make acquaintance while they wait. The Special Event glimpses into the lives of 4 strangers as their morning unfolds. Carol Rooney was a recipient of a Droichead Bursary in 2023. Droichead Presents New Drama - part of Theatre Club and our ongoing commitment to support artists and showcase new work.
BELFAST GIRLS BY JAKI MCCARRICK | QUINTESSENCE THEATRE |
FRI 10 OCT | 8PM
DIRECTED BY RHIANN JEFFREY
“We have this one an’ only chance. An’ in all the kingdom of Ireland aren’t we – us women – aren’t we damned lucky to be getting out of it?”
Set in 1850, Belfast Girls tells the story of five fierce young women who face their dark pasts on a ship bound for Australia, as they leave Belfast in search of a better life. Confined in close quarters in the belly of the ship, they embark on a tumultuous sea journey as they sail away from their homeland. Secrets are revealed, enemies made, and it becomes clear that no matter where they go, there is no escaping the past. The inaugural production of Belfast Girls was produced in association with the North East Network. ( Droichead, Solsctice and An Táin Arts Centres)
PADDY: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF PADDY ARMSTRONG BY MARY-ELAINE TYNAN, DON WYCHERLEY AND NIAMH GLEESON.
SAT 29 NOV | 8PM |
DIRECTED BY MARY-ELAINE TYNAN
Fifty years after his wrongful conviction, at the age of 74, Paddy is facing into his twilight years and wrestling with a thousand turbulent memories. In Paddy he relives the journey that forever altered his destiny.
A one-man show, starring Don Wycherley as Paddy, the play is inspired by Paddy’s memoir Life After Life, a Guildford Four Memoir. Paddy is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of forgiveness, reminding us that the privilege of freedom and love, family and everyday life can restore us and mend the scars of even the most savage injustice.
More Info
Surveyor Exhibition 2025 | with the North East Network
Date: 15/11/2025 – 10/01/2026
Time: All Day Event
Cost: N/A
Droichead Arts Centre is delighted to announce its partnership with fellow North East Network members, Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, and An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk, in a unique extension of Solstice's annual selected survey of local professional arts practice.
Surveyor 2025 will simultaneously open at Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda and An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk, showcasing the work of artists from the Northeast of the country. Patrick Murphy, Director, RHA will select work at Solstice Arts Centre, Dorothy Smith, Droichead Visual Arts Curator in Residence, will select work at Droichead Arts Centre, whilst artists Declan Kelly and Els Borghart will select work at An Táin Arts Centre.
North East Network supports, values and encourages visual artists in the North East to develop their practices and creative careers. The exhibition presents an overview of contemporary visual arts practice in County Louth and Meath. There will be a visual arts award of €2,000 selected by each curator in each arts centre.
Applicants living in Co. Meath or Co. Louth are welcome to apply to any of the participating venues; however, you may only submit to one.
To apply to Droichead Arts Centre, please download the application form from droichead.com and send your submissions to droicheadarts2020@gmail.com and images via google drive.
Surveyor 2025 – Opening at 2:30pm on 15 November 2025 across Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda and An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk
Exhibition Dates for Each Venue:
Solstice Arts Centre, Navan: 15 November – 20 December
Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda: 15 November – 10 January
An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk:15 November – 20 December
Statement from Directors:
Belinda Quirke, Director Solstice & Swift Cultural Centre, Meath
'As part of Northeast Network, I am delighted to work with Droichead Arts Centre and An Táin, Dundalk, in the production of Surveyor 2025. As the ancient Boyne Valley interweaves our two counties, Surveyor 2025 aims to celebrate and promote, the abundance of visual artists living and working with the northeast of the country.'
Collette Farrell, Director, Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, Louth.
'Droichead Arts Centre is delighted to participate in this unique exhibition by the North East Network, bringing artists together from Louth and Meath across our three centres, further supporting artists across the region.'
Paul Hayes, Director, An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk, Louth
'This is a really exciting exhibition for An Táin Arts Centre to be part as it takes place simultaneously in the 3 venues that make up the North East Network. Our Basement Gallery is a unique space and we are particularly interested in submissions from artists working with installation, sculpture and projection that can respond to the space.'
- Accepting submissions from Friday, 4 July 2025.
- Closing Date for applications: Online Submission Deadline 5pm, Friday, 10 October 2025
- Applicants living in Co. Meath or Co. Louth are welcome to apply to any of the participating venues; however, you may only submit to one.
Stockwell Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
