Latest news with #NationalOperaHouse
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Over 50 free events to take place across Wexford for Cruinniú na nÓg
This year's programme boasts over 50 free events for children taking place on the day across Wexford's five libraries. Additionally, the county's iconic cultural venues, from the National Opera House to the Wexford Arts Centre, will be alive with activities ranging from animation and coding workshops to creative writing, mural painting, printmaking, and much, much more. Also announced in the programme, teenagers from Belfast and Wexford will present a unique virtual reality performance, while a special night time event has been announced for Enniscorthy's Vinegar Hill. Speaking at the programme launch Elizabeth Howard, the creative communities Engagement officer, invited the young people of Wexford to come and be inspired. 'It's a fantastic free day for young people to try something new, show off their skills, or discover a hidden talent. The theme of this year's programme is inclusion and connection and we would encourage people of all backgrounds and abilities to join celebrations.' Speaking at the announcement Cllr. Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council remarked, 'Cruinniú na nÓg is an incredible celebration of youthful creativity, providing a platform for children and young people to participate in the arts within their communities. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the local youth organisations, creative professionals, libraries, and community groups, without whom this event would not be possible. I would encourage all young people in the county to come join the celebrations.' This year specially curated workshops will take place across Wexford's five libraries. Designed from toddlers to twelve year olds, activities can be booked on the official website. At Wexford Town Library, children will have the opportunity to explore the art of weaving or create memory maps through collage, coloring, and drawing. Artist and designer Cuan Cusack will lead workshops focused on creating fine art prints using shadows and sunlight. Young musicians can also participate in the 'music and movement for little ones' workshop. Additionally, theatre maker Alison Ni Mhairtin will conduct an Irish Sign Language drama storytelling workshop specifically designed for children with additional needs. At Gorey Library, renowned painter Lillian O'Sullivan will conduct introductory oil painting classes for children. Young people can explore bookbinding and illustration, or participate in a bilingual singing workshop. Elizabeth Flynn will lead a weaving workshop using seasonal plants, and there will be an opportunity for aspiring computer scientists to learn coding through bracelet-making. Additionally, neurodiverse children, or those who may feel overwhelmed, will benefit from the Sensory Hour facilitated by Cathy Coughlan. At Enniscorthy Library the award-winning designer and upcycling advocate Lynn Haughton will lead a workshop where children can decorate large puzzle pieces with upcycled materials. The Wexford Youth Theatre WACT will offer acting lessons, while NCAD graduate Millie Case will conduct workshops in wet wool felting. Additionally, children can take part in stop motion animation workshops or engage in a sensory activity where they will 'Create their own calm down bottle'. Over at Bunclody Library there will be storytelling through LEGO games and musician Laura Hyland will be leading a workshop in singing and voice work. At New Ross Library artist Celeste Shimora Goedert will lead workshops in 'print making with natural materials' and there will be workshops in drama and music. There are also many other activities geared towards teenagers, and fans of The Banshees of Inisherin. At the Taghmon Family Resource Centre, filmmaker Leah O'Toole, known for her work on The Banshees of Inisherin, will be leading a filmmaking workshop. Additionally, the Red Moon Theatre Company will offer workshops for children. Director Tony McLeane-Fay from Barecheek Theatre Company will conduct acting workshops at The National Opera House and at the Gorey Family Resource Centre there will also be workshops led by mixed media artist Elaine Tobin from the Gorey Arts Collective. Teenagers can look forward to mural painting demonstrations at the Presentation Arts Centre in Enniscorthy, as well as at the Wexford Arts Centre. Facilitated by The Walls Project, Wexford Arts Centre will also host coding workshops presented by Anyone4Science. The Stella Maris Centre in Kilmore Quay will host 'Yola and Our Stories', an engaging theatre workshop for children focusing on heritage, history, and storytelling, facilitated by Chris Moran. This year, teenagers from Wexford and Belfast will come together as part of an innovative 'Shared Island' project that aims to spark critical discussions about misinformation surrounding the topics of climate change and health. The groups will engage online and work with theatre professionals to create a scripted performance. A 360-degree VR video expert will record the final performances, and members of the public will have the opportunity to experience the piece using Google Cardboard viewers that will be available at libraries throughout the county. As part of this year's theme of inclusion and connection, Cruinniú na nÓg will partner with seven groups across Wexford identified as 'Seldom Heard.' These essential community groups provide support to young people on various issues, including LGBTQI+ support, young individuals in direct provision, and those living with long-term illnesses. Each group will be matched with an artist or expert facilitator who comes from similar background or has been through similar life experiences as those participating in the groups. The day will end with a bang on top of Vinegar Hill featuring 'The Night Belongs to Youth,' a collaborative project with Creative Places Enniscorthy. The sunset event on Vinegar Hill will be open to the public and will feature a movement piece led by young people of Enniscorthy to the summit of the hill. The full schedule with details can be accessed on the website.
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Wexford workshop to explore stories through sound for children with additional needs
Led by theatre-makers Eoghan Rua Finn and Alison Ní Mháirtín, Club Éist (Storytelling through Sound with Gaeilge, English and Lámh) is for children with additional needs from five to 12 years of age and their caregivers/families. Inspired by natural and manmade sounds, the workshop at Wexford Town Library on Saturday from 11am to noon will explore how stories are created and will feature a range of fun activities for the group to enjoy. The workshop will be facilitated through Gaeilge, Lámh and English but no prior knowledge of the languages used is required. Alison's previous projects for Cruinniú na nÓg include the bilingual film 'Slaney ar Strae', which was set in Redmond Park and featured collaborators Heather Hadrill, Rebecca Hadrill and Dominic Palmer. Alison says: 'Cruinniú na nÓg is such a celebration of children's creativity that is fantastic to be working with the Cruinniú team, Eoghan and Wexford Town Library to bring an accessible event for all the family to this year's line-up.' To book the workshop, please visit and for any for any access requirements/queries, contact alisonnimhairtin@ Alison and Eoghan are Wexford-based theatre makers with an interest in accessibility in the arts and both have worked in disability services. The duo will also be leading a bilingual drama workshop called Réalta agus Scéalta, funded by Seachtain na Gaeilge, in Wexford Arts Centre on Sunday, June 22 from 12:30-13:30. The free but ticketed event still has some places available and is available for booking through Meanwhile, Eoghan has a new play called Invitations at the National Opera House on September 4, 5 and 6 and booking will be available through the National Opera House.
Irish Independent
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Wexford's Bridge Drama staging award-winning show at National Opera House ahead of All-Ireland bid
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will be performed in the Dean Crowe Theatre as part of the All-Ireland Drama Festival in mid May. And, in anticipation of this big night, Bridge Drama will perform its pre-All Ireland show in the O'Reilly Theatre at the National Opera House on Sunday, May 4. Bridge Drama last won the title in 2016 with Neil Simon's Lost In Yonkers which starred 14-year-old Cillian Tobin as a 15-year-old. Coincidentally, in this production, adult Cillian portrays the lead character who is also 15-year old Christopher. The group is hoping that Cillian will be its good luck charm in Athlone as he has won awards at each of the eight regional festivals. Currently, director Susan Somers is keeping the group focused by polishing and improving every theatrical element of the production in order to deliver the optimum performance on the night. Susan has received numerous plaudits from adjudicators on the festival circuit this year, many of whom have referenced her 'exceptional directorial work' with the ensemble who help form each scene by 'utilising their physicality and black boxes with skill and precision'. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is based on the novel by Mark Haddon and adapted by Simon Stephens for the stage. It is showing at the National Opera House on Sunday, May 4. Tickets available at or (053) 9122144
Irish Independent
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Ballycogley Drama Group set to perform extra shows ahead of All Ireland finals in Athlone
Today at 22:00 What a year for Ballycogley players as their 50th anniversary celebrations are rocketed to a fantastic start with the group having qualified for the RTE All Ireland Open Finals in Athlone. At last week's draw for performance slots team Ballycogley were drawn to perform their much loved play 'Lend Me A Tenor' on opening night of the festival. Ahead of this the group, having already sold out the O' Reilly Theatre at the National Opera House, have released their final pre All Ireland performance dates in Gorey Little Theatre on Thursday May 1 and in the Jerme Hynes Theatre at the National Opera House on Monday and Tuesday May 5 and 6. Lend Me a Tenor by Ken Ludwig is a fast-paced madcap comedy set in 1934 Cleveland. The plot revolves around a world-famous Italian opera singer, Tito Merelli who is scheduled to perform in a production of Pagliacci. When their star tenor unexpectedly goes missing, a timid assistant in the company, Max is thrust into the spotlight as his unlikely replacement after he is coerced into impersonating Tito to save the show. What follows is a whirlwind of mistaken identities, romantic misunderstandings, and hilarious chaos behind the scenes. Full of fast-paced action and over-the-top characters, the play is a delightful farce that keeps audiences laughing from start to finish. To qualify for the All-Ireland Finals the group have contested preliminary qualifying festivals all over the country and having travelled to Kilmuckridge, Castleblayney, West Clare, West Waterford, South Leinster New Ross, Shercock and Wexford drama festivals the group secured maximum marks seeing them qualify alongside eight other groups from around Ireland, including two others from Co. Wexford. The play, directed by Pat Whelan, stars Sean Carthy, Catherine Stafford, Edward Hayden, Chris Maddock, Trish Boyce, Catherine Murphy, Fr. Pat Mernagh, Siobhan Murphy and is stage managed by Celine Tracey. Nick Hayes, Cian Cassidy, and Eddie Milbourne look after the lighting for the production with the sound scape in the capable hands of Laura Hayes and Nick Whelan. Costumes, hair and set design are all curated by Catherine Stafford. Many other stalwart group members are ably leading front of house, set building and backstage to support the production. Speaking about the production, Sean Carthy, Chairperson of the Ballycogley Players, said: 'It's an immense honour for Ballycogley Players to be heading back to the RTE All Ireland finals for a second consecutive year and is testament to the work invested in this production by our fantastic director Pat Whelan and the very hard working cast and crew. ADVERTISEMENT It's been a labour of love to bring this production to life, and as chairperson I, and the entire committee, are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication shown by the entire group 'The play has been polished, tweaked and is now ready for its final outings in Gorey and Wexford and we would love your support for what is a very special occasion for our group, especially in our 50th year of bringing drama to the community' Tickets for Lend Me A Tenor at Gorey Little Theatre are available now online on Tickets for Lend Me A Tenor at the Jerome Hynes Theatre are available now through the National Opera House box office (053-9122144) and online on
Irish Independent
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Feast of song whets the appetite for this year's Wexford Festival Opera
The concert, given in the National Opera House, the National Concert Hall and the Ironmongers' Hall in London, was one of several gatherings that make being a Friend such an "enriching experience', to quote Selina Scott, long-time Friend and volunteer. The Friends I spoke to were unanimous in their praise for Nuala Sheedy, Donor Development Director at the WFO, saying nothing is too much trouble for her. In Nuala's words, 'the Wexford welcome is hard to describe and bottle'. Being a Friend makes that welcome all the warmer. There are five levels of Friendship, rising from Prelude, €80, to Bravura, €2000. The scheme provides one-fifth of the Festival's overall funding and accounts for 50-60% of ticket sales, a contribution 'vital to the Festival', says Nuala. Prelude level is a good introduction to the scheme, being affordable to younger members – some of whom, still in their teens, have received membership as a gift. It's never too early to tick items off that Christmas list! A subscription has the double merit of drawing newcomers to the festival and including those who might not otherwise see an opera, through support for the many community events fostered by Rosetta Cucchi. During the Festival, Friends are invited to welcome coffee mornings and complimentary post-opera parties. The latter, in the Opera House, serve 'excellent finger food and wine galore' according to Alma Hynes, manager of hospitality for the Friends, adding that 'it's a great way to meet other Friends and members of the festival team'. It is a one-stop shop for distributing Friends' pins and programmes, giving directions to an event or recommending a hairdresser. "Volunteers love interacting with the Friends,' says Alma. When Selina Scott first came to Wexford in 1965 she paid someone to sit on a butter box outside the theatre, to ensure that she got tickets for the operas. As a young teacher in St. John's she rented a room from Nellie Walsh, sister of Dr. Tom Walsh, one of the Festival's founders, and a member of the Festival Chorus. No wonder she caught Festival fever. The town was very different then, she says. 'Boats were not coming into the harbour because of silting but the stevedores sat around waiting for them to come in. . . . The Festival was the only big thing in Wexford. There was a sense of ownership among the people, and real knowledge.' She recalls groups going 'to gawk at the glamour' when the opera train arrived from Dublin. Not to be outdone, Selina sports a fetching Flapper-style headband, adorned with all her Friends' pins, and a spray of feathers. At that time, there was a two-year waiting list to become a Friend. Now, Selina is one of the volunteers in the Friends' Hospitality Lounge in the Opera House. Coffee, tea, newspapers and congenial company are available here from 12 to 2.30 p.m. for Friends who need refreshment as they dash from one event to another. 'It's a privilege to be a Friend,' she says, 'you feel part of a family of interested people.' She adds that it would be the last thing she'd let go if money was tight. Selina's enthusiasm is matched by that of Lionel and Susan Rosenblatt, annual visitors from England. 'It's the best weekend of our lives,' says Lionel. They love the 'warmth of people in Wexford and their pride in what the Festival has achieved'. He first came in 1987, having been invited by the WFO's then Artistic Director, Elaine Padmore. Lionel and his friend, David Buchler, had just appointed Elaine artistic director of their not-for-profit venture, the London International Opera Festival, LIOF, whose aim was 'to introduce as many people as possible to opera'. Lionel had been smitten by his first opera. The night his father brought him, as a reluctant sixteen-year-old, to see Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci in Covent Garden he was 'transformed from a boy who liked to dance to one who loved opera'. Lionel joined the Friends in 1988, and he and Sue attend all the Friends' events in London and in Wexford because 'there is a warm atmosphere where opera plays a part. It enhances your time there and you meet likeminded people' and they have made friends through the Friends. Being a Friend makes you 'feel part of the Wexford family', says Mary Mullin, a Trustee of the Wexford Festival Opera UK Foundation. The Friends events in the UK 'try to recreate that family atmosphere. People come from Wexford to give talks. It makes Friends see that they are important.' Indeed, Barbara Wallace, former Chairman of the Wexford Festival Trust, said the contribution of UK Friends equalled that of a sponsor and she always urged them to encourage others to come to Wexford. Mary Mullin first knew Barbara as a sparring partner at the Junior Chamber Debating Society, Mary representing Kilkenny, Barbara, Wexford. In 1986, when the Arts Council withdrew funding from the Festival, Barbara contacted Mary, who had moved to London, to enlist her help in organising a fundraiser. Since then, Mary has been involved with the Friends and is one of only three Honorary Friends. Each year she brings large groups of personal friends, from various countries, to Wexford. Her guests love the way everyone they meet around town wants them to enjoy the Festival. 'Other festivals don't give you the same feeling of being encompassed,' she says. UK Friends' events take place in spring as a reminder to book for the Festival, and again in September, giving Friends a chance to meet Rosetta, Festival Chairman, Paul Cleary and the interim Executive Director, Loughlin Deegan. This makes the Friends feel welcome, Mary says, which is important in the UK, where the 'lines of communication are very extended'. Selina's and Mary's work, and the Rosenblatts' loyal participation, reflect the social value of the Friends' scheme, which, Alma says, 'extends beyond the Festival and is a valuable commodity in Wexford'. Now's your chance to join that community, enhance your enjoyment of the Festival, and share it with family and friends. The first stage of booking for this year's 74th Wexford Festival Opera will open on Wednesday April 23 for Bravura, Cabaletta, Aria and Ensemble+ level Friends of the Festival. The next level opens on Wednesday April 30 for Ensemble and Prelude Friends of the Festival. General booking opens on Wed May 7. Box office opens Mon - Sat, 9.30am - 5pm, +353 53 912 2144
