Latest news with #SJMcArdle
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- 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
RTÉ News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Drogheda businesses taking part in trial late-night hours
Four businesses with a café offering in Drogheda are to trial keeping their doors open late into the night as part of an initiative to promote and diversify the town's late-night entertainment offering. It comes as the initial results of a survey conducted by Louth County Council have shown that people want more choice in how they spend their evenings. Over 73% of the 1,238 people who responded to the Drogheda by Night 2025 public consultation have said they would like to see more late-opening cafés. Meanwhile, 670 respondents said they would welcome more non-alcoholic or alcohol-light options in the town centre at night. As a result, four local businesses with a café offering will stay open late into the night on Friday 30 May and Friday 20 June. The local businesses are The Coffee Box, Il Forno, Loaf'd, and The Bare Food Café. Each venue will host a free, curated evening of live music, poetry, spoken word, and conversation. A spokesperson for Louth County Council has said: "These cafés are championing a more diverse night-time offering and helping trial what a more balanced evening economy might look like. They added each business will create "welcoming, relaxed spaces where people can enjoy the town differently." The 'Night Moves' initiative forms part of a new cultural programme led and produced by Droichead Arts Centre - curated by singer-songwriter SJ McArdle - in collaboration with Drogheda's Night-Time Economy Adviser and supported by the Purple Flag partnership group. Purple Flag is an international accreditation programme that aims to reward those who "help create safe and thriving locations at night for all users." The idea builds on a smaller 'Night Moves' trial that took place on Culture Night last year, when two cafés opened late with artistic performances. Il Forno hosted a pop-up opera night while The Coffee Box has continued to trial late-night events. The Night-Time Economy Adviser for Drogheda at Louth County Council, Mark Davies said the move was an important step forward in further developing the town's night-life and was based on the feedback they had received from the public. He said: "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. "We're not just testing ideas, we're seeing real signs that a more varied evening economy will benefit everyone. 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," he added. Meanwhile, 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." Organisers hope the model will inspire other venues in the town to come on board and help lay the foundation for a "more vibrant, sustainable evening culture." The 'Night Moves' cafés are being supported by the Drogheda Purple Flag group - a local partnership that brings together businesses, artists and public sector teams. The group also includes other 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. Drogheda is one of nine towns and cities across the country piloting new approaches to the night-time economy through a Government-funded initiative with Night-Time Economy Advisers testing ways to help these places adapt and thrive between 6pm and 6am.
Irish Independent
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Night Moves returns: Drogheda's summer of after-dark arts and culture is back
Drogheda Independent Today at 10:42 Get ready for another summer of late-night culture as Night Moves returns to Drogheda and East Meath. The programme, produced by Droichead Arts Centre, delivered with curators, promoters and alternative venues, and supported by the Night-time Economy Advisor, Mark Davies, along with The Arts Council, brings a fresh mix of music, art and immersive experiences to local venues after hours. It all kicks off on Friday, May 2 at 10pm with Night Moves at Droichead. For €15, audiences can explore every corner of the arts centre, transformed into a late-night creative hub. Curated by SJ McArdle, the late-night club includes ambient music from DJ Emmie Lou in the gallery, a specially commissioned bespoke art installation by Vivienne Byrne and live performances in the theatre, featuring Oisin Leech with support from Dotts O' Connor. Taking to the stage is Oisín Leech, whose solo album, Cold Sea made waves in 2024. Best known from the Lost Brothers, Leech's new material is unhurried, steeped in folk. His songs map exile, love, loss and healing, and are shaped by the wild coastline of Donegal, backed by collaborators like Steve Gunn, Roisín McGrory, Dónal Lunny and Bob Dylan's bass player Tony Garnier. He's joined by Dotts O'Connor, celebrated guitarist of RTE Choice-nominated band Come On Live Long and Dirty Dreamer, who just released his own critically acclaimed debut album Sorrow Won't Find Us.. If you're after something chilled, Night Tones is back on May 23 and June 27 at 8.30pm and 9.45pm. These relaxed sessions mix ambient electronic music from Ógy Collins with yoga and meditation guided by Elaine Tobin, presented in the round in the Droichead gallery space. The first session is a yoga (8.30:pm), a slow, gentle flow. The second (9.45:pm) is a guided meditation session with less movement and more stillness. Bring a mat, a cushion, maybe even a blanket, and settle in for some deep listening downtime. You can go to one session for €12 or stay for both for €20. Also returning are the Night Moves Late Night Cafés, happening on Friday, May 30 and Friday, June 20 from 10pm until late. These free events will pop up in some of Drogheda's favourite cafes and restaurants, offering live music, poetry and spoken word. The full line-up will be announced soon. Then there's The Stowaway Sessions on Saturday June 7, and Sunday June 8 at 8.30 pm – two nights of music under the shadow of the viaduct at Drogheda Port, complete with refreshments. On Saturday, June 7, SJ McArdle plays his critically-acclaimed song cycle PORT, right on the Port itself! A song cycle born of a year-long research and writing project around the history and stories of Drogheda's ancient Port, conducted during SJ's tenure as Artist in Association at Droichead Arts Centre in 2019. SJ's songs and performances have featured on radio, film, and television, and he has toured and recorded extensively in Ireland, Europe, and North America, gathering a loyal following and critical accolades along the way. On Sunday, June 8, local seven-piece The Cacks take to the stage. Their debut album Celebrity blends Americana, Irish folk, rock, electronic and blues is unique and interesting. Support on the night will be announced soon. The Stowaways Sessions, taking place in a covered warehouse on the port by the viaduct, is a seated event. These events will go ahead rain or shine, so attendees are reminded to consider the weather when dressing for the event. More details will be provided when the sessions go on sale on April 23. Tickets are €20. For all bookings or 041 9833946.
