We regret to announce that this event, which was due to happen at 7.00 pm on Saturday, November 7th, has had to be deferred owing to insurmountable technical challenges. We are working hard on setting up a replacement event and details will be posted soon.
On Wednesday, 8 November, the Opening Night of the 2023 Allingham Festival will focus on children – the historical injustice of servitude and transportation, contrasted with today’s determination to provide safety, health care and education for all children in Ireland.
In the Emerson Lecture at 7:00 pm, renowned educator and historian Anthony Begley will recount the fates of nineteen impoverished girls who were shipped from Ballyshannon to Australia under the Earl Grey Scheme of 1848, reflecting on the illusions of Victorian England and how they led to the callous treatment of Irish children.
In the Allingham Lecture at 8:45, Ombudsman for Children Dr Niall Muldoon will speak on the contemporary theme of “Children’s Rights in Ireland – From the Workhouse to the Family Hub’’. Both events are free, but on-line booking is recommended to insure that tickets will be available.
The Ballyshannon Samba Band will provide musical entertainment from 6:30 on Opening Night
Have you been as gripped by this new show as we have? Debating about your favourite performer? Trying to figure out where in Ballyshannon (or Bundoran) a particular scene was filmed? Looking forward to the next plot twist? Perhaps you've already binged all six shows on RTE Player?
If so, you won't want to be anywhere but the Abbey Arts Centre, Ballyshannon at 6.30 on Friday, November 10th when you'll have the chance to enjoy once again Episode 1 but this time on the big screen.
The showing will be immediately followed by a panel discussion and Q&A led by the show's Executive Producer, Paddy Hayes. Paddy will be joined by Conor Flannery, assistant director (who generously supplied us with these fascinating location shots), Taralouise McCaughey, Post Co-Ordinator/production secretary and Rossa O'Neill, Location Manager. The whole event will be ably compered by Ballyshannon's own Conan Sweeny, who plays Barman Donal in the series.
If you were already planning to be with us for The Deepest Breath at 8.30 - and why wouldn't you be - do think about coming a couple of hours early for another treat.
Is it us or is interest in this year’s Allingham Festival even greater than it has been in the past? Many of you have been asking for the full programme to plan your weekend and now it’s here. You can download a PDF copy or browse individual events, day by day.
You can gasp for The Deepest Breath as Jamie Lee Dalton brings his Netflix phenomenon to the big screen. Be enthralled by the wonderful repertoire of Regina Nathan. Let Olive Travers catch you in her Nets of Wonder. Be gripped by Niall Muldoon’s account of Children’s Rights in Ireland. Lose yourself in the strange world of Sally Diamond during Liz Nugent’s conversation with Sinead Crowley…
We could go on (and on) but then where would be the point in looking at the programme? Please do visit and re-visit and plan to make the most of what promises to be a wonderful festival.
We’ll see you there.
The programme for the Allingham Arts Festival 2023 is now available online!
You can view the events that are on day by day, and download a PDF of the programme for use over the weekend.