Colm Keegan and Erin Fornoff announce Every Blooming Thing spoken word roadshow
Acclaimed poets Colm Keegan and Erin Fornoff return with a brand new live experience: Every Blooming Thing, a powerful spoken word roadshow travelling to five counties this summer.
Produced by Sofft Productions with LIVE Network, the tour offers an evening of poetry, music, community and inspiration all rooted in the celebration of life's quiet, often unnoticed moments.
Said to take its name and ethos from Patrick Kavanagh's belief in the beauty of the everyday, Every Blooming Thing weaves together two central poems, Springshine by Keegan and A Billion Tiny Things by Fornoff, to reflect the show's grounding in positivity, hope, and gratitude.
Each stop on the tour will feature not only Colm and Erin's poetry but local guest poets, musicians, and free community writing workshops designed to celebrate local voices and encourage new ones.
Speaking of the roadshow, Fornoff commented: 'The world seems darker and darker, and with Every Blooming Thing we felt it was important to look at the small moments of beauty that exist in the everyday- as a way to shore ourselves up, to keep gratitude at the forefront, to remember what is precious and worth keeping.' Find the full tour schedule below: Thursday, 29th May Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda
Guest poet: Tom French Guest musician: Farah Elle Friday, 30th May, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Kildare.
Guest poet: Liz Quirke | Guest musician: Fiach Moriarty Thursday, 5th June Ramor Arts Centre, Virginia, Cavan.
Guest poet: Noel Monaghan | Guest musician: Jinx Lennon Friday, 6th June, Backstage Theatre, Longford.
Guest poet: Darragh Coady | Guest musician: Dion Mercury
Saturday, 7th June, Roscommon Arts Centre, Roscommon.
Guest poet: Louise G Cole | Guest musician: Bianca Fachel
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Extra.ie
23-05-2025
- Extra.ie
Colm Keegan and Erin Fornoff announce Every Blooming Thing spoken word roadshow
Acclaimed poets Colm Keegan and Erin Fornoff return with a brand new live experience: Every Blooming Thing, a powerful spoken word roadshow travelling to five counties this summer. Produced by Sofft Productions with LIVE Network, the tour offers an evening of poetry, music, community and inspiration all rooted in the celebration of life's quiet, often unnoticed moments. Said to take its name and ethos from Patrick Kavanagh's belief in the beauty of the everyday, Every Blooming Thing weaves together two central poems, Springshine by Keegan and A Billion Tiny Things by Fornoff, to reflect the show's grounding in positivity, hope, and gratitude. Each stop on the tour will feature not only Colm and Erin's poetry but local guest poets, musicians, and free community writing workshops designed to celebrate local voices and encourage new ones. Speaking of the roadshow, Fornoff commented: 'The world seems darker and darker, and with Every Blooming Thing we felt it was important to look at the small moments of beauty that exist in the everyday- as a way to shore ourselves up, to keep gratitude at the forefront, to remember what is precious and worth keeping.' Find the full tour schedule below: Thursday, 29th May Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda Guest poet: Tom French Guest musician: Farah Elle Friday, 30th May, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Kildare. Guest poet: Liz Quirke | Guest musician: Fiach Moriarty Thursday, 5th June Ramor Arts Centre, Virginia, Cavan. Guest poet: Noel Monaghan | Guest musician: Jinx Lennon Friday, 6th June, Backstage Theatre, Longford. Guest poet: Darragh Coady | Guest musician: Dion Mercury Saturday, 7th June, Roscommon Arts Centre, Roscommon. Guest poet: Louise G Cole | Guest musician: Bianca Fachel
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Drogheda making ‘moves' to create a night-time cafe culture
Out of 1,238 respondents, 908 (73pc) expressed a desire to see late-night cafés, while 670 respondents called for additional non-alcoholic or alcohol-light options in the town centre. In response, a pilot programme titled Night Moves will see four local cafés – The Coffee Box, Il Forno, Loaf'd and The Bare Food Café – extend their opening hours on Friday, May 30 and Friday, June 20. These venues will host free, curated evenings of live music, poetry and spoken word performances, creating welcoming, relaxed spaces where people can enjoy the town differently. These cafés are championing a more diverse night-time offer and helping trial what a more balanced evening economy might look like. The initiative is part of a wider cultural programme produced by Droichead Arts Centre and curated by singer-songwriter SJ McArdle, in collaboration with Drogheda's Night-Time Economy Adviser and supported by the local Purple Flag group. 'This is an inspiring step forward, and it's coming straight from what people told us,' said Mark Davies, Night-Time Economy Adviser for Drogheda at Louth County Council. 'It's not about replacing anything - our pubs and bars are a vital part of Drogheda's nightlife - it's about adding to the mix and creating the kind of town centre where more people want to spend time.' The idea builds on a smaller trial during Night Moves Culture Night 2024, when two cafés opened late with artistic performances. One, Il Forno, hosted a pop-up opera night, and people stayed long after the last note was sung. The other, The Coffee Box, has continued to trial later events. Collette Farrell, Director of Droichead Arts Centre, said: 'There's something special about seeing familiar places take on a new energy after dark. These events are about working with local businesses and artists to bring warmth, creativity, connection, and a sense of possibility to the town at night.' Drogheda is one of a small number of towns nationally piloting new approaches to the Night-Time Economy under a government-supported initiative. Across Ireland, Night-Time Economy Advisers are testing ways to help towns adapt and thrive between 6pm and 6am. Cafés are increasingly being viewed as flexible, familiar and accessible venues, full of potential for cultural experiences. The Night Moves cafés are supported by the Drogheda Purple Flag group – a vibrant local partnership that brings together businesses, artists and public sector teams. It includes hospitality venues, Drogheda and District Chamber, Love Drogheda BID, Droichead Arts Centre, and various departments within Louth County Council, who host and support the work of the Night-Time Economy Adviser. This energetic collaboration is helping shape a more welcoming, diverse and inclusive town centre after dark. 'We're not just testing ideas, we're seeing real signs that a more varied evening economy will benefit everyone,' said Mark Davies. 'Drogheda is helping lead the way, showing that when you listen to people, back local businesses, and bring in creativity, good things happen. We'd love people to come out, enjoy the cafés, and be part of it.' In addition to the late-opening cafés, the Night Moves programme will also feature events like Night Tones and The Stowaway Sessions throughout May and June. Organisers hope the model will inspire other venues and help lay the foundation for a more vibrant, sustainable evening culture - one that perhaps feels a little more eclectic and continental, where people meet to eat, chat, listen to music, and enjoy their town well into the evening. ADVERTISEMENT Night Moves is an innovative and dynamic programme designed to provide new and engaging night-time cultural experiences across Drogheda and East Meath. Produced by Droichead Arts Centre and delivered with a range of curators, promoters, and alternative venues, it is supported and funded by the Night-Time Economy Adviser in Drogheda, Louth County Council, and the Arts Council. The programme encapsulates a shared vision of expanding cultural offerings, fostering partnerships, and creating diverse opportunities for artists and audiences. More information about events under the Night Moves programme is available at Results of the Drogheda by Night 2025 survey will shortly be available at To get involved as a late-opening café, contact
Irish Independent
08-05-2025
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See photos: Big crowds enjoyed packed programme at Drogheda Arts Festival
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