Film Double Bill

Where else but the Allingham Arts Festival can you have an afternoon at the pictures, absolutely free?

‘Where the Wind is Always Young’ is a short film by Declan Foley. This is an audio-visual record of seven poems written by Declan Doherty, five of which he recited for the film.

It was filmed in the last five months of Declan Doherty’s life and is in a way his final testament.

The Battle of Assaroe is a film by Allingham Committee member, Emer O Shea. It explores the history of Assaroe Lake, its performance as a habitat for wildlife and the impact of the hydroelectric power plant on the landscape of Ballyshannon and the River Erne. This beautiful film will bring  the viewer on a trip down memory lane and at the same time pose questions about the future of the lake.

This film has won 7 awards from film festivals worldwide including Best Short Documentary in Venezeula and Best Inspirational Film in Florence.

Director Emer O Shea. Asst Directors Manus Brennan and Michael Mac Monagle

The movie will be followed by a 15 minute Q and A session chaired by journalist and broadcaster Michael Daly.

Saturday, November 9th, 2.00pm  Theatre 2, Abbey Arts Centre.   Admission FREE

f you can’t wait or want to know more, check out the trailers for Battle of Assaroe and Where the Wind is Always Young

Little Top Stars

So popular were Little Top Stars for the last two years that we had to have them back bringing the wonder and magic of circus skills, such as juggling and Diabolo to the children of the area.

Drop in at any time to experience the sheer joy Little Top Stars bring to their events. Suitable for children aged 6 to 12.

No booking necessary and, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, this is another Free Event. Saturday, November 9th,10.30 am to 3.30 pm, St. Annes’ Hall

Sean O'Casey: Political Activist and Writer

Paul O’Brien is a renowned writer and journalist who lives in Dublin. He has written and spoken widely on Theatre, History, Literature and Politics. On Saturday, November 9th, Paul takes a look at the plays of Sean O Casey, especially The Shadow of a Gunman, Juno and the Paycock and The Plough and the Stars and shows how O’Casey’s work always explores the frontiers between literature and politics. As we finish commemorating the decade from 1916 to 1923 Paul O’Brien will bring us on a journey which connects The 1916 Rising, The War of Independence and The Civil War to O’Casey’s work and how these seminal events in our history affected the lives of the ordinary people of Dublin. A fascinating 50 Minutes is in store for us.

5.00pm Sean O Casey: Political activist and writer. Abbey Arts Centre, Theatre 2 Admission €5. Part of the Allingham Arts Festival.

MerTales

Inspired by Sherrie Scott, the Mertales Writers’ Group gathers weekly in the shadow of St. Anne’s Church to share their passion for poetry and storytelling. Their spontaneous creativity promises to bring a splash of Mertale wit and wonder to the Allingham Arts Festival with a free gig at 3.30 pm in Dicey Reilly’s Pub on Friday, November, 8th.

As if that is not enough there will be additional treats from F M Fitzpatrick and other surprise guests.

Jennifer Liston

A very talented writer, musician and performer Jennifer Liston has returned home to Ireland after more than 30 years in Australia. Her fourth poetry collection, Grace Notes, reimagines the voice of Grainne Mhaol / Grace O Malley, Ireland’s pirate queen. Award-winning poet, Win McNulty, an old friend of the Festival, will launch it on Friday, November, 8th at 7.00pm in the Abbey Arts Centre, Theatre 2. Admission is free and a fascinating hour is in store.

"In a captivating feat of storytelling, Jennifer Liston entrances her audience with a combination of spoken word and song." - TULPA Magazine

"... let’s hope she takes this little masterpiece global." - The Advertiser, Adelaide.