FESTIVAL IN A VAN FÉILE I VEAIN

Getting the show on the road

Festival in a Van is a mobile arts organisation bringing high-quality live performance and participatory arts experiences directly into communities across Ireland. What began as an innovative response to the Covid-19 pandemic has grown into a dynamic, nationally touring programme that reaches audiences in places where access to the arts can be limited — from care settings and health contexts to schools, public spaces and community environments.

Our custom-built mobile stage transforms everyday locations into vibrant cultural spaces. From town squares and parks to care homes, youth centres and rural communities, Festival in a Van creates shared moments of connection, creativity and celebration — making live performance visible, accessible and part of everyday life.

Alongside our performance programme, we develop a growing body of participatory and socially engaged work, collaborating with artists, facilitators and partner organisations to create meaningful opportunities for expression, connection and voice. Our projects work with a wide range of communities, including young people, older audiences, early years groups and diverse communities across Ireland.

Recent strands of work include:

  • Songlines – bringing live music and creative engagement into care settings
  • The Jukebox Project – an interactive music experience supporting wellbeing and connection
  • What Makes a Man – a creative programme working with young men exploring identity and belonging
  • Stories We Carry – a participatory arts and heritage project with mothers and babies

Festival in a Van continues to evolve as both a presentation platform and a creative producer, working in partnership with local authorities, arts organisations, health and education providers, and community groups nationwide.

When Festival in a Van comes to visit

The Van arrives — in a street, a school yard, a care home, a green space or a town square. The doors open, and a space is transformed.

Music fills the air. Stories are shared. Performances unfold. Audiences gather.

Each visit is tailored to its setting — whether it’s a live performance, a participatory workshop, or a shared creative experience — creating moments that are immediate, engaging and rooted in place.

Check out our press coverage here.

Our approach

  • Accessible – bringing the arts directly to people
  • Flexible – adapting to different locations and communities
  • Collaborative – working with artists and partners across sectors
  • Impact-driven – supporting wellbeing, connection and cultural participation

Our Team

Festival In A Van is run by a small team of passionate people

Jackie Nowell

Director

Alice Quinn-Banville

Researcher / Producer

Rob Furey

Production Consultant

Peter Jordan

Production and Safety Officer

Our board

Patrick Murphy (Chair)

Director, RHA Gallery

Lucy Ryan (Secretary)

Director of Programming and Finance, Smock Alley Theatre

Sharon Carty

Opera Singer

Rachel Collins

Communications

Dr. Jane O’Hanlon

Education and Arts Participation

Dr. Martin Duffy

Consultant, Strategic Planning

Good people we work with…

Graphic Design – Matthew Connell, Duck to Water

Website – Elisabeth Ryan, IRC web

Illustrator – Karen Nolan

Homepage image – Cormac Begley plays at Festival in a Van, Tralee Town Park, October 2020

NICE THINGS PEOPLE HAVE SAID ABOUT FESTIVAL IN A VAN

“We absolutely loved it! The children were so engaged and the whole crew were lovely. Children were walking home dancing!! Thank you so much”Bríd Brophy, Principal @ St. Mary’s Primary School, Dublin 7
(Event: Back to School Celebration with Gomba Educare, September 2022)

“Thank you for bringing Festival in a Van to Mooorehall Lodge Ardee. From when Gemma, the van, crew and Gavan arrived it was like our Residents and staff got a new energy – a new life. The whole event  from start to finish was just so uplifting. the Residents watching the crew set up, not knowing what was coming next and then Gavan starting to sing: you could hear a pin drop, just class. Festival in a Van was the topic of conversation at lunch times and for days afterwards with everyone. We, as staff spoke together about the event to try and describe feeling everyone came away with, and we said it was an energy, new beginning, new hope. After 12 months of Covid 19, that feeling that yes, we are going to be fine! It was a lovely feeling”.Frances @ Moorehall (Event: Gavan Ring, Co. Louth, April 2021)

“I just wanted to let you know how impressed everyone was by the Festival in a Van company and production. Everything  happened so efficiently (thanks Anthony) without any hiccups and the students (sixth years in particular) were thrilled to see King Lear come alive on the school grounds, with real actors! It was great to see them ask so many questions afterwards! And the actors were very happy to oblige!“Teacher at Our Lady of Mercy College, Beaumont (Event: King Lear (in a Van), May 2021)

“From the moment the van pulled up this morning you could feel the excitement grow at school today. 
Some pupils were hanging out the window to see what was going on and how a normal van was supposed to transform into a magical stage – I nearly didn’t know how they did it even though I watched the whole thing unfold in front of my eyes! Magic in itself. 
Suddenly we were at a festival – with a stage, a secure area for around the stage – everything you would expect to see at any venue was there – no attention to detail spared. 
We got the green light to start at 10am on the dot and by 10:01 there were 73 children and 40 Staff dancing together at a music festival! It was genuinely amazing. Joyce and Steve played together beautifully – his husky voice complemented by her powerful traditional singing. An incredible experience. 
Our school community needed a lift like this – it was amazing. Thank you”Sarah McGinley, Principal, St. Josephs Special School, Galway

“Once again, I wanted to congratulate the team on the incredible work you are doing. It was such an honour to play for the people at Citywest. There was a powerful moment when just after my performance, a little Ukrainian girl of around 9/10 years old walked over to me and handed me a picture she’d drawn of me performing. She didn’t have any English but through the help of an adult we had a little chat, and I gave her a CD of mine. It was a moment I won’t forget.”KIRRU, Musician
(Event: Shared Music Sessions, November 12th, Citiwest, Dublin)