Van Events Our Tours
Where we're going and what we're doing
HIGHLIGHTS
VITAL SIGNS TOUR
Curated by poet and editor Martin Dyar and guided by the poetry anthology Vital Signs, this tour will bring poets and musicians to staff and clients in care homes, community hospitals and day care centres across the country.
This project is in partnership with Poetry Ireland and is supported by the Arts Council.
Shared Music Sessions
The Shared Music Sessions utilise our shared love of music to forge connections between musicians and audiences from Ireland, Ukraine, and a hugely diverse array of other newly arrived migrant and refugee communities. Presented with the generous atmosphere of the traditional Irish seisiún, the Shared Music Sessions are delighted to be supported by Creative Ireland, and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media's Local Live Performance Programming Scheme.
With thanks to our partners in Creative Ireland, Mother Tongues, Music Generation, and the Local Authority Network around Ireland.
Upcoming Events
Festival in a Van often visits specific communities and groups around Ireland which means our events aren't always advertised here. However, we love keeping people in the loop about our whereabouts , so here's a sample of what we're up to over the next while.
Friday 23 September, CULTURE NIGHT AT PEARSE STREET LIBRARY | DUBLIN 2
14:30: Everyday Revolutions: Writing Working-Class Stories
For too long working-class stories have not been included in celebrations of culture. Acclaimed working class writer Trudie Gorman invites working-class participants to take part in a writing workshop focused on reclaiming the space to tell our rich stories. Participants will be led through a series of writing activities exploring the working-class experience and what it means to spark tiny revolutions in our everyday lives. This workshop is suitable for both beginners and seasoned writers alike.
18:00 Healing Words: Writing our Stories
Rediscover the connection to your unique voice in this workshop focused on the healing power of telling our own stories with acclaimed writer Trudie Gorman. Participants will be led through a series of writing activities to access the stories we hold inside us just waiting to be spoken. This workshop is suitable for both beginners and seasoned writers alike.
Book via 01 222 8430
pearsestreetlibrary@dublincity.ie
Friday 23 September | CULTURE NIGHT IN LOUTH, CAVAN, ROSCOMMON
Our expert poets will be delivering Poetry SOS Clinics in three different counties as part of this year's Culture Night festivities. Have a chat with them, and they'll prescribe you the perfect poem for any experience you've been facing recently. These clinics will be in the spirit of the Van as opposed to in the Van.
17:00 - 20:30: Nithy Kasa will be delivering a Poetry SOS Clinic at Louth County Museum.
17:00 - 20:30: Mairead Donnellan will be delivering a Poetry SOS Clinic at Bailieborough Library, Cavan
19:00 - 21:00: Gerry Boland will be delivering a Poetry SOS Clinic at Roscommon Arts Centre
Taking place as part of VITAL SIGNS in a Van.
The Vital Signs tour is in partnership with Poetry Ireland and supported by the Arts Council.
Wednesday 4 October | WATERFORD
11:00 - 16:00: Frank Farrelly will facilitate a Poetry SOS Clinic in the Old Market House Arts Centre, Dungarvan. If you'd like to book a slot, please email morgan@waterfordcouncil.ie with your contact details (including phone number) by noon on 28 September.
Taking place as part of VITAL SIGNS in a Van.
The Vital Signs tour is in partnership with Poetry Ireland and supported by the Arts Council.
Saturday 21 October | DUBLIN
11:00 - 15.30: The Van will be pulling up to the public square of Tallaght Library as part of the Red Line Book Festival's Family Fun Day. Picture book enthusiasts and early readers are welcome to come along with their friends, parents, grandparents, and brothers and sisters for a day of family-friendly music, storytelling, and spoken word.
Three 50-minute performances will take place throughout the day at 12pm, 1.30pm, and 3pm featuring stories from Jack Lynch and Seosamh Ó Maolalaí, music and words from Catherine Ann Cullen, and Ukrainian songs from Maryna Odolska This event is particularly suitable for audience members under 10 and the important grown-ups in their lives.
Tuesday 31 October 2023 | OFFALY
The Van will be joining Creative Places Edenderry for an afternoon of family friendly Halloween fun outside Edenderry Town Hall from 12pm - 4pm. There will be Halloween-themed tunes with RADAR; Retox Dance Entertainment; spooky fun storytelling and a li'l goblin music with Danna Daly; and dance with Sideshow Drama.
There will be three 50-min shows throughout the day, with performances starting at 12pm, 1.30pm, and 3pm.
Recent Events
Friday 15 September | GALWAY
On our second day at the Shorelines Arts Festival, the featured act was Bog Bodies.
Thursday 14 September | GALWAY
The Van returned to the fantastic Shorelines Festival with featured musicians Strings & Things.
17:00 - 17:45: Portumna Library
Mon 21 August 2023 | MONAGHAN
The Van visited Rossmore Park with poet and fiction writer Mary O'Donnell with music from Stephen Doherty and David Doocey as part of VITAL SIGNS in a Van.
The Vital Signs tour is in partnership with Poetry Ireland and supported by the Arts Council.
Saturday 19 August 2023 | FINGAL
Festival in a Van visited St. Catherine’s Estate, Rush, Floraville Public Park - Skerries, and Garristown Garda Station as part of our two-day tour of Fingal. Featured artists included Enda Coyle-Greene, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Londiwe Queens, and a number of local performers
Supported by Creative Ireland and Fingal County Council
Friday 18 August 2023 | FINGAL
Festival in a Van visited St Ita’s Resource Centre and Donabate Portrane Community Centre. Featured performers included Tony Curtis, Esosa Ighodaro, Leila Jane, and a handful of local artists.
Supported by Creative Ireland and Fingal County Council
Monday 15 August 2023 | LOUTH
The Van visited Dundalk Market Square with poetry from Tom French and music by Seán Mathews as part of VITAL SIGNS in a Van.
The Vital Signs tour is in partnership with Poetry Ireland and supported by the Arts Council.
Wed 16 August 2023 | WATERFORD
The Van visited Cappoquin Community Centre with poetry from Clodagh Beresford Dunne and music by Tadhg Williams as part of VITAL SIGNS in a Van.
The Vital Signs tour is in partnership with Poetry Ireland and supported by the Arts Council.
Sunday 6 August 2023 | DUBLIN
WeAreGriot premiered their newly commissioned piece DEITIES at Balseskin Reception Centre.
Supported by the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund in partnership with Business to Arts
Sunday 23 July 2023 | DUBLIN
Chinese Cultural Celebration in St. Anne's Park and Herbert Park featuring traditional Chinese dancers and musicians
Thursday 22 June 2023 | CITY WEST
Community Jukebox Session with the residents of City West Transit Hub
Tuesday 20 June 2023 | DUNDRUM
World Refugee Day Singalong with AkiDwA
Saturday 17 June 2023 | ENNIS & LISDOONVARNA, CO. CLARE
Shared Music Sessions featuring Kseniya Rusnak, Paul Dooley, Katie Theasby Trio, Mariia Minina, Varcara Husarova
Supported by Clare County Council
Saturday 10 June 2023 | KENMARE & TRALEE, CO. KERRY
Shared Music Sessions as part of Cruinniú na nÓg featuring Katya Globa, Kirrill, Maddie Courtney, Yaromyr, and Micha Dimov
Supported by Kerry County Council for Cruinniú na nÓg
Wednesday 17 May 2023 | ENNISCORTHY & WELLINGTONBRIDGE, CO. WEXFORD
Songlines with Margaret Galvin and Billy Roche at Grantstown Community Village and St. John's Community Hospital.
In partnership with Poetry Ireland, and supported by the Arts Council and the Waterford Healing Arts Trust (WHAT)
Tuesday 16 May 2023 | DUNGARVAN, CO. WEXFORD
Songlines with Lani O'Hanlon and Liam Merriman at Dungarvan Community Hospital and Care Choice Dungarvan
In partnership with Poetry Ireland, and supported by the Arts Council and the Waterford Healing Arts Trust (WHAT)
Friday 5 May 2023 | CITY WEST
Community Jukebox Session with the residents of City West Transit Hub
Monday 24 April 2023 | LEIXLIP, KILDARE
Shared Music Sessions featuring Seana Davey, Maryna Odolska, Savage Jim Breen Band for Older Voices Kildare
Friday 14 April 2023 | CO. LONGFORD
Juke Box Project with Mary Melvin Geoghegan and Emma Warren at Glenavon Community Residence, Longford Day Care Centre, and Ashford Community Residence
In partnership with the HSE and Mental Health Ireland funded by the Arts Council
Thursday 13 April 2023 | MULLINGAR
Juke Box Project with Fin Furey, Sean Regan, Michael Flemming, and Rachael Hegarty
In partnership with the HSE and Mental Health Ireland funded by the Arts Council
Monday 6 March 2023 | RED COW
Shared Music Sessions with Import/Export and Justine Nantale
Wednesday 1 March 2023 | CITY WEST
Shared Music Sessions with Import/Export and Kiruu
Friday 24 Feb 2023 | RED COW
Shared Music Sessions with Fin Furey, Tommy Keane, and Kiruu
Wednesday 22 February 2023 | CITY WEST
Shared Music Sessions with Fin Furey, Tommy Keane, and Justine Nantale
Tuesday 14 Feb 2023 | RED COW
Shared Music Sessions with Import/Export, Tommy Keane, Fin Furey, and Kiruu
Friday 10 February 2023 | RED COW
Shared Music Sessions with Import/Export, Tommy Keane, Fin Furey, and Kiruu
making vans happen where you are
If you would like Festival in a Van to visit your local area or community, or if you are planning a festival or event and would like to hold performances somewhere that there isn't a stage, please contact us for more information.
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