Cast a Cold Eye

The film Cast a Cold Eye by local film makers Emer O'Shea & Michael MacMonagle pays tribute to the late, great Sinead O Connor and explores the connections between one of Ireland's most iconic and best loved singer songwriters and her favourite poet, William Butler Yeats.

Cast A Cold Eye will be screened in Ballyshannon as part of the film programme for the Allingham Festival .

The short film will be followed by a poetry film The Last Bus directed by Winifred McNulty in collaboration with Emer O Shea. The movie was inspired by the journey of emigrants from West Donegal to Glasgow.

To conclude Winifred will launch her poetry pamphlet The Weather on the Peninsula in conversation with poet and writer Olive Travers .

The entire event is Free and all are welcome.

Abbey Arts Centre 2.00p.m. Sat. Nov. 8th. Admission Free

John Creedon and Friend

We were delighted to hear today from the one and only Mr John Creedon. He's really looking forward to his visit to the Allingham Festival and he kindly passed on this memento from a previous trip to Ballyshannon.

He took the opportunity to renew the acquaintance of an old neighbour. Rory Gallagher lived just down the street when he was growing up and was friendly with his older siblings. No doubt, Sean Perry will find an opportunity to work it into their conversation.

John Creedon in Conversation with Sean Perry, Sunday, November 9, 2025 14:30 – 15:30

Bookings

Poetry and Flash Fiction Shortlists.

Many thanks to all the entrants in our Adult Poetry and Flash Fiction Competitions. We're delighted to announce the following short lists of entries:

Poetry Short List:

A Place for Hens

Anseo

Bakelite

Hopkins’ Last Days

Keeper of Archives

Letters from Anamar School, October 1969

Mother

Nativity Scene With Fox

Reflections on Manet’s ‘Dejeuner sur l’herbe’

Sent Down to Kerry

The Children of Nero

The Sea, She Never Forgets

They Come a Long Way

Timeless

Tuning Fork

Under a Green Sky

Words Fail Me

Flash Fiction Shortlist:

A Drowning

Ambulation

Gulls

Lambay

Love Story

Reine

Tethered

The Fears of Litte Men

The Peacock’s Call

Why You Walk Down Longdogs Lane

Congratulations to all and we look forward to the public announcement of the winners at this year's Literary Lunch which starts at 11.30 am in Dorrian's Hotel, Ballyshannon on Saturday, November 8th.

Remembering: Brian Friel

Through the late summer and autumn this year, this part of Ireland has had some wonderful opportunities to appreciate the writing of Brian Friel. There have been a host of events marking the 10th anniversary of the death of this wonderful writer.

It has, of course, been focused on his beloved Ballybeg, otherwise known as Glenties but performances and readings have radiated out to Derry, Dunlewy and Sion Mills to name just a few places. Now the Allingham festival offers one more opportunity to applaud the great man.

“Remembering: Brian Friel” is an hour-long celebration of Friel’s writing focusing on the theme of “memory”. It opens with Friel’s words in his own voice through a “self-portrait” from BBC Northern Ireland, recorded in the 70s. This is followed by a specially adapted version of his short story Among the Ruins, depicting a young family’s Sunday outing with all the trials and joys that can bring.

Faith Healer is regarded by many as Friel’s true masterpiece and there will be excerpts from all four of the monologues which beautifully prove that shared experiences don’t always lead to shared memories.

A particular treat will be the achingly beautiful final scene of Brian Friel’s first great theatrical hit, Philadelphia Here I Come! and the event will close with wistful memories of Dancing at Lughnasa.

This very special anniversary event is curated by Michael McMullin, who, last year, memorably brought William Allingham, himself, back to Ballyshannon. He will be joined on stage by very familiar members of Ballyshannon Drama Society including Richard Hurst, Trish Keane, Ronan Drummond, Kevin Lilly, Troy Devaney, Regina Fahey and Mary Hoey.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Brian Friel Centre which has many exciting plans to commemorate the man in the aforesaid Glenties. Whether you are a lifelong fan of his work or don’t yet realise how much you love it, please come along and join us at 4:30 PM, November 9th in the Abbey Arts Centre, Ballyshannon.

Bookings:

Primary School Shortlists

We are so grateful to the young people and teachers who are so loyal to our Primary Schools Competitions every year. It's a privilege and a pleasure for us to see and read the work of these bright young creatives.

This evening it's our huge pleasure to announce the short lists. To every single individual on these lists, congratulations and very best wishes for the competition.

And to those for whom this wasn't your year, please, please, do come back and try again next year.