The Green Van

Gavan Ring joined us to tour Care Homes in County Louth. We set off in sunshine, but even a few snow flurries didn’t put a stop to Gavan’s high spots. And sure where else would you get Nessun Dorma as an encore? Uplifting stuff, and once again, thanks to one and all… Yes, Covid is…

Cian Kinsella, Brian Daly and Fiach Moriarty launched our Van travels after the winter break, and it was fab to be out on the road again. Huge thanks to Carlow Arts Office, and to our lovely crew who got out their fleece-lined purple hi vis to head around the County for music, dancing and one…

We finished up the year in bright winter sunshine, and smiles all round, as we toured nursing homes in the county in the excellent company of Luan Parle and Clive Barnes (pictured), and Enya Cox and Ruby and Heidi Millea from the Alize School of Music, followed by Daniel from the Lady Desart Choir, whose…

The glorious Avoca Reaction had everyone singing and dancing for LGBTQI+ Awareness Week with an unforgettable session at Saint Joseph’s Cluny. We’re still dancing in our heads and hearts – and still feeling the waves of love. Stand Up Proud (in a van)!

Brioni Gallagher and Seanan Brennan in fine voice and flying form at Care Centres for Adults in County Monaghan today, and huge hats off to the lovely Festival in a Van tech team who were up at the crack of dawn to meet them there. Sometimes it takes a lot of coffee to keep the…

The clocks changed, and with them our first After Dark Session, in the lovely grounds of Villiers School. When the students can’t go home for midterm, the Festival can come to them – with SON aka Susan O Neill and David Hope bringing the music.

With thanks to Grainne Hope’s great programming, the sounds of SON (Susan O’Neill) and David Hope joined the Forest Van to dodge the showers at Knockalisheen Direct Provision Centre. Blue skies prevailed, and yes, there was definitely dancing.

Our schools tour kicked off with the lovely Candlelit Tales entertaining rapt audiences in playgrounds from Belmayne to Finglas. Including some specially composed Festival in a Van rap. Why thank you! And thanks to the brilliant teachers who hosted us at Belmayne Educate Together, Scoil Íde Cailiní and St Malachy’s. Plus big shout to Creative…

Gavan Ring brought the house down with a set including Nessun Dorma and You Raise Me Up. It was quite the opposite at the end of the day: we had to let the air out of our beloved van’s tyres to get it OUT of the courtyard again. Thanks too to Bryan O’Leary and Emma…

The epic duo of Bryan O’Leary and Brian Mooney had everyone’s toes tapping, and with a follow up from Cathal Flaherty, the courtyard of Killarney House was a very beautiful place for some more Safe Craic. Thanks all at Kerry County Council and the National Parks for having us!