Enjoy an evening of music and storytelling with Little John Nee on Thursday 16th September 2021. The event will be performed in the Athenry Handball Alley on Abbey Row and commences at 7:00pm. The Bouncing Off The Walls project is supported by Creative Ireland and Galway County Council.
Little John Nee is a writer and performer based in Co. Galway. His style of storytelling theatre with music has won him international recognition. Throughout lockdown he has been prolific creating over 50 livestreams, a radio play “The Jumpin Inn”, outdoor theatre “Tilt of the Sky”, and film, including an award winning collaboration with Laura Sheeran “Drone Bone Jetty”. Currently an Arts Council artist in Residence, with Town Hall Theatre Galway and Galway County Council, he is working on a new post lockdown celebration “All the Small Ocean” to premiere in late October, and new musical collaboration “Salt of the Sea” which will premiere at Babaró. Little John Nee is an associate artist at Siamsa Tíre.
Tickets are available through the centre's Eventbrite page
Bouncing Off The Walls is a series of concerts to be held in the Athenry Handball Alley, Abbey Row, Athenry.
This Creative Ireland event includes the Athenry Youth Choir, guitarist Adam Cunningham and harpist Una Ni Fhlannagain. The programme is designed to showcase local musicians and artists in the unique setting of Athenry's handball alley, a place that use to be the centre of the community and a hub of sporting activity.
The project looks to engage the public with a new performance space and create a legacy for new generations to discover an architectural feature which has been in the town for nearly 100 years.
Tickets for this event are available through the centre's EVENTBRITE page or click on the link to book your tickets.
Spaces are strictly limited and children must be accompanied at all times.
We advise all patrons of the event to be aware of COVID19 protocols and we ask everyone to wear a mask during the performances
Athenry MAD Festival 2020
The Athenry MAD Festival is back again with another great programme for you to enjoy.
All of this years programme will be held in the Festival Garden which is located in the grounds of St. Mary's Church.
Most events are free to attend but due to COVID19 restrictions, numbers are strictly limited to accommodate social distancing.
Tickets will be available on Eventbrite, each event will have a link to book your tickets. Most of this years programme is free except the comedy night but if you wish to donate, it will be greatly appreciated.
Children must be accompanied by an adult and groups of 4 from the same household can attend and facemasks must be worn.
The Athenry MAD Festival Committee would like to thank the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for their support under the Small Scale Local festivals & Summer Schools Scheme.
This support provides Arts Practitioners to continue to work in the current COVID19 climate and the MAD Festival is the platform to showcase their work.
Saturday 19th September 12:00pm Festival Garden: Free
Come along on Saturday 19th September and make some joyful noise with the Athenry Samba Band.
Or if you just want to watch and enjoy the sounds, you more than welcome.
‘Athenry Samba Band is a Galway2020 legacy project from the Small Towns Big Ideas program, culminating in the performance ‘Make a Joyful Noise’. Gliondar in association with John Tierney (Rhythm Drum School) have been developing & rehearsing this drum ensemble since total lock down ended. Overcoming Covid restrictions etc. to bring a covid proof performance!!
The Umbrella Orphanage 2:00pm-5:00pm Presentation Playing Pitch, Caheroyn Road. Free
Join Hope it Rains | Soineann nó Doineann at Athenry MAD Festival to launch a menagerie of kites and flying objects created from broken brollies by artist Jeni Roddy.
Come along to the Presentation Collage Playing Field on the Caheroyn Road and have a go at flying the giant 4 metre Umbrella Orphanage butterfly kite. Or try out some of Jeni’s smaller flying umbrellas, which range from geometric shape-shifters to wrist-mounted wind-socks. Bring your own kite too. It's mad fun. Catching the wind and throwing shapes.
After our flying session, we will stroll over to the Athenry Heritage Centre, where we will spread the giant butterfly kite’s wings to create a rain canopy and outdoor work space.
Artist Jeni Roddy opened the Umbrella Orphanage for broken and bewildered umbrellas last year, and Galwegians rescued 670 brollies from the winter storms. Inspired by umbrellas’ natural inclination to take flight in Galway, Jeni has given them new life as kites.
This is part of Hope it Rains | Soineann nó Doineann, a project for Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture which aims to turn our bad weather to good use, and use it as source of creativity and community.
We will be practising social distancing. All equipment will be sanitised between uses. We would ask you to wear a mask when flying the kites.
Comedy Night with Ed Sammon: 8:00pm MC Giles Brody €10.00
Offaly native Edwin Sammon has established himself as one of the most popular comedians in the country over the last few years, his unpredictable and crowd pleasing style saw him win the "Tedfest Golden Toilet Duck" award in 2011. This led to him supporting the likes of Jason Byrne, Phil Jupitus and Ardal O’Hanlon while performing at major festivals and comedy clubs across Ireland and the U.K. On television he has starred in "Bridget & Eamon" and "Republic Of Telly".
On stage he has toured the international festival circuit with "Dreamgun" as well as playing the lead in several theatrical farces including Galway Fringe Festival hit "Couples Counselling". Most recently he charmed the nation on First Dates Ireland and currently hosts his own very popular podcast, "The Sammon Of Knowledge".
Support on the night will be Kat Feeney
Kate’s comedy explores human nature, and how completely irrational— but ultimately gas— we all are. She was a Semi-Finalist in the Funny Women Competition 2019 and 2020; and has performed stand-up all around, including at: The International, Comedy Gold, Electric Picnic, Cherry Comedy and K-Fest
The Se7en Inch Collective Live Streaming 9:00pm: Free
Make it Saturday night to remember with the Se7en Inch Collective live streaming event from the Marble City.
Log into twitch from this LINK from 9:00pm-12:00pm and make it a kitchen party to remember.
The se7en inch collective are two like minded music lovers who came together over a passion for the humble 45, the 7" single. Playing live unrehearsed sets of back to back 7s, these's DJs fire through all genres of music new and not so taking in dub, ska, soul and rock n roll, then mixing it up with disco, funk, hip hop breaks and indie treats... anything goes.
Over the last few years they have played at the Electric Picnic and Kaleidoscope festivals, bringing their infectious grooves of the 45 to a variety of audiences of all ages.
However since Covid 19 and the cancellation of gigs, the collective have moved online. Finding a home on twitch, these two DJs have joined a growing community of musicians and creatives looking for a way to play and reach an audience. Twitch is a platform that DJs have embraced in the lockdown... importantly you can view and listen to the performance with any internet browser... you don't need to be logged in... BUT if you do take time to register, you can get involved in the live chat and be a part of the interactive experience with the DJs and join in on the night.
Sunday 20th September 11:30am Festival Garden Una Ni Flannagain Age Inclusion Event: Free
This Sunday she will be playing wildly energetic jigs and reels, emotive slow airs, haunting traditional songs in English, agus amhráin ar an sean-nós.
The event is part of our Age Inclusion Arts programme which is aimed at those over 60. Come meet your friends in a social but safe environment to enjoy music, chat and maybe go for coffee too! The event is free but please dress accordingly, as the event is outside but under cover.
Úna Ní Fhlannagáin is an award-winning harper and singer from Co. Galway, Ireland. An instrumentalist of verve and imagination, she is rooted in diverse musical influences such as the dance music tradition of North Clare, the sean-nós singing style of Maigh Seola, the American post-minimalists and free jazz. She has performed throughout Ireland, Europe, North America and the Middle East, winning the Riada Gold Medal for Harp, and the All-Ireland along the way.
Rab Fulton 1:00pm Festival Garden: Free
Bring the family to hear wonderful stories by acclaimed storyteller Rab Fulton.
His collection of tales, folklore and myths are accessible for all ages and its the perfect way to spend your Sunday afternoon. Spaces are limited so don't miss out on this great opportunity for all the family to enjoy.
Acclaimed storyteller and author Rab S. Fulton enjoys retelling the stranger and spookier folklore and myths from Ireland and Scotland, as well as tales from his family.
His books include GalwayBay Folk Tales and West of Ireland Folk Tales for Children will be available to purchase on the day.
Athenry Pedal Parade: 3:30pm, The Square, Athenry.
Get on your bike for this year's MAD Pedal Parade with the Wheels of Athenry. Let your imagination run free and pimp your bike to win a prize.
This event is kindly supported by Galway Sports Partnership, Galway Co. Council as it part of national Bike Week which runs from the 19th-27th September.
The event commences in The Market Square, Athenry at 3:30pm and sets off on a scenic ride of the medieval town. Its lots of fun, Covid friendly and good for your health too.
No booking required, just turn up and register.
The Barcelo Brothers: 5:00pm Festival Garden. Free
To close this year's festival the Athenry MAD Festival presents the amazing Barcelo Brothers. An explosive mix of Zydeco Music infused with Rhythm & Blues, Soul & Funk: ready to dance ! Born and raised in Headford (Co. Galway), The Barceló Brothers is a vibrant band formed by the brothers Séamus (Drums/rubboard/vocals) and Mícheál (Accordion/Harmonica/vocals), and their father Miquel (guitar/vocals). The band has been created in a musical and theatrical family home who enjoy making music and having fun.
Since its creation in 2015, they have shared their songs and their festive spirit with performances in a wide range of festivals in Ireland, UK and Mallorca.
Make your Very Own Puppet With Rachel Alkin
Here's a MAD treat for our younger audiences which can be made at home or in your school or creche. All materials are easy to obtain but make sure you have an adult to help. Enjoy this craft activity with Rachel from Away with the Fairies and have fun making your MAD puppets.
Painting By Numbers
Meet Ted Turton in the grounds of the Athenry Arts & Heritage Centre as he creates a special MAD Mural for you to enjoy.
This years design reflects everything that's good about Athenry and the town you live in.
Its easy to colour in with numbers set within the mural.
Paints are available throughout the day or enjoy talking to this local renowned artist as he creates this legacy project for the Athenry MAD Festival.
Se7en Inch Collective Kitchen Party Mix
Here's a taste of the four hour DJ set from the Se7en Inch Collective.
Click on the image and this brings to you to our mixcloud site.
Enjoy your kitchen party!
It's not bedlam, its just MAD.
Culture Night 2020 18th September
Join us on Friday 18th September for this years Culture Night 2020.
This years programme will be held in the Festival Garden located on the grounds of the centre where social distancing can be achieved for your safety an enjoyment.
The event is free and is accessible for all ages to enjoy. All tickets can be booked through Eventbrite and due to COVID19 restrictions, only 15 tickets are available for each event.
Culture Night is brought to you by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in collaboration with Galway County Council.
Kings, Queens and Normans 5:30pm
Join us at the Athenry Heritage Centre as we present the story of the Norman invasion of Ireland.
Meet many of the characters involved and discover how their lives and loves paved the way to English rule.
Amusing, dramatic and romantic, this is history the fun way!!
Age appropriate, audience participation is welcome and costumes are available for those who wish to take part in the recreation of a classic story for this year’s Culture Night.
Please note that masks must be worn during the performance.
Architectural Walking Tour Of Athenry 6:00pm
Discover the rich architectural features of Athenry with local Failte Ireland tour guide Gerry Burke. His tours are informative and engaging as he takes you on a 800 year journey from 13th century medieval town to a 19th century market town.
Tours commence from Athenry Castle at 6:00pm.
Tickets are limited to 12 people and Covid19 restrictions will be adhered too.
RETREAT, an audio comedy is set in Ireland on a stoat infested lake, in the grand home of the visionary, late actress Kathleen O’Mara who left it in her will as an arts residency. The fading home is full oddball staff, artists, writers, musicians, and a director trying to make ends meet. When Megacorps offers sponsorship for repairs, they find themselves in a battle against the 1%.
The narrator for this event will be the writer/performer Little John Nee.
The cast will feature 4 actors and the co-writers of the series. Audience participation will be encouraged and the writers/directors will be available for a Q & A.
Athenry Music School: 7:30pm
Enjoy the soothing sounds from the students of Athenry Music School as they play a selection of classical music to feed the mind and soothe the body.
The event is set in the grounds of St. Mary's where the ambiance in the festival garden will make this performance a magical place to be.
Founding member of the Galway International Arts Festival Ted Turton continues his journey as a troubadour and traveler.
Ted invites the audience to join him for more tales of the unexpected, journeys around the world and life as a painter, actor and festival organsier.
Tickets are limited to 15 people and are available through Eventbrite.
Walk, Talk & Listen
Explore the eventful past of Medieval Athenry, scene of two battles, numerous raids and attacks.
Visit its major medieval monuments with their very own unique features and experience also Athenry’s more recent history.
Come along and join local historian and Fáilte Ireland Tour Guide Gerry Burke on this ninety minute free tour during Heritage Week.
Tours commence outside Athenry Castle and there's two times to choose from.
Morning 10:45am
Afternoon 2:15pm
Tickets for all tours can be booked through Eventbrite.
The tour is conducted by tour guide Gerry Burke.
Tour Times 10.45am and 2.15pm
The tour is of 90 minutes duration
Tour Groups limited to six people
Tour begins in front of Athenry Castle and ends at Athenry Heritage Centre
COVID19 Notice
If you are feeling unwell do not participate in the Guided Tour
Maintain a social distance of 2 metres (6 ft.) from other participants
Hand sanitiser will be provided at the beginning and end of the tour
You are required to wear either a face mask or visor for the duration of the tour
The tour Guide will wear a visor
The Tour Guide will open entrance gates/entrance doors to sites
Tour participants are not to touch entrance gates/entrance doors or any surfaces during the course of the tour
If you become ill in the course of the tour with Covid-related symptoms Phone 112 or 999 or if you live locally call your GP.
Please note in the interest of Health and Safety a contact tracing log will be maintained. Your contact details will be retained for one month and then destroyed.
Athenry Virtual Walled Towns Day 2020
Learning from our Heritage
Athenry Walled Towns Day has been in existence since 2006. It is a family focused heritage and educational fun day where all sectors of the community can gain a greater awareness, appreciation and knowledge of the medieval town walls and the town of Athenry.
The events are programmed to suit all age groups and have a strong educational and awareness building theme.
This year due to Covid19 Athenry Walled Town Day has gone virtual and the theme of this year’s event is ‘Learning from our Heritage’.
Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer, Galway County Council said “Athenry Virtual Walled Towns Day 2020 has been designed to be inclusive, accessible, fun and free for all to view on our websites and social media platforms.”
Alan Burgess, Manager, Athenry Arts & Heritage Centre said “The programme reflects the medieval history of Athenry and is a platform to showcase craft, food, art weaponry music and the rich heritage assets of the town”.
Join Dr Christy Cunniffe, Dr Jeff Dann, GK Media and Gary Dempsey as they take you on virtual tours of Athenry Walls, Castle, Dominican Friary, the Mace and Seal of Athenry, Loro Gate and St Mary’s Church, Athenry..
Loughrea Craft Club have two videos how to make a medieval castle and how to make medieval characters for your castle. The Athenry Medieval Times newspaper is a available to download and print and frame as it was designed for the virtual occasion.
There is also an online etching exhibition by Martina Passman of the main medieval features of the town. This exhibition is also on view in the Athenry Heritage Centre.
Gary Dempsey has created wonderful 3D models of Athenry Market Cross, the Mace & Seal of Athenry and elements of the Dominican Priory. Film maker Paul Murphy has produced an excellent film on the Art and Craft of Spinning with Sandra King, Irish Fibre Crafters and Medieval Combat Armour by Brian Quinn. Anna O’Donnell, Gastronomy Heritage Expert showcases the art of Butter making on the banks of the Clarin river and Dr. Jeff Dann presents 'Food Glorious Food, medieval style. Follow Úna Ní Fhlannagáin as she takes you on a musical journey of Irish history.
Gary Dempsey of Digital Heritage Age has created 3D models of various elements of the medieval heritage of Athenry including the market cross, the seal of Athenry and the tomb of Meiler de Bermingham.
Introduction of Athenry Walled Towns Day with Programme Coordinators Alan Burgess, Athenry Heritage Centre & Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer, Galway County Council
Watch three historical videos with Gary Dempsey as he chats with Dr. Christy Cunniffe about the Market Cross and St. Mary's Church. Dr. Jeff Dann explains about the significance of Athenry's 14th century Mace & Seal which are displayed in the Athenry Heritage Centre.
Acclaimed film maker Paul Murphy from Merchants Gate Films presents two short films of two unique people showcasing their particular skills. Meet Sandra King who demonstrates the craft of spinning and Brian Quinn talks about full contact medieval combat which includes demonstrations from the Athenry 1316 Fight Club.
Meet Rachel from the Loughrea Crafts Club as she demonstrates how to make a medieval castle and fun figures to go with it. This is a family fun activity that children will love but make sure you have an adult to help. Discover the true meaning of fun when you make your very own castle. All materials should be in your home or very easy to find. Enjoy your castle making and medieval figures to live in it.
Galway3D is a part of the Digital Counties Initiative, which aims to assist local communities in creating 3D digital collections of local heritage from their counties. The Galway3D project has been recording heritage in Co. Galway since 2016. The process of recording is called Photogrammetry, which creates 3D models from photographs, and is an easy process to learn.
If people are interested they can discover more from the Digital Heritage Age website www.digitalheritageage.co
Enjoy a musical journey with acclaimed harpist Una Ni Flannagain as she takes you on a tour of Irish history.
Winner of the Ó Riada Gold Medal for harp, Úna Ní Fhlannagáin is a harper and singer based in Galway, Ireland. Rooted in the jigs and reels of North Clare and the sean-nós singing of Connemara, she is also influenced by American post-minimalists and free jazz.
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Experience the world of medieval food with Anna O’Donnell, Gastronomy Heritage Expert as she showcases the art of Butter making on the banks of the Clarin river and Dr. Jeff Dann presents 'Food, Glorious Food, Medieval Style" in the Athenry Heritage Centre.
Take a tour of Athenry with Dr. Christy Cunniffe and he tells the stories of Athenry's medieval gates and the 13th century Dominican Priory. Your tour is complete with Dave Swift as he demonstrates the weaponry of the middle ages.
Artist John Flynn has created excellent post cards on the Athenry Madonna at Lady's Well , the 14th century Mace and Seal of Athenry and the Market Cross. Copies of the postcard are available from the Athenry Heritage Centre and the Heritage Office, Galway County Council.
Choose one of three designs and post them to friends and relatives as a momento of Athenry's Walled Towns Day 2020.
View the exhibition of etchings by Martina Passman, there's 8 specially commissioned works of art which are for sale in the Athenry Heritage Centre.
‘Etching Athenry’ Martina Passman is a mixed media artist based in County Galway. In 1998 after graduating from GMIT in Fine Art and Design, Martina Passman joined Artspace Studios in Galway. She exhibited extensively around Ireland with the Artspace group. On completion of an Honors Degree in Fine Art in 2017, Passman continued her studies through an MA in Creative Practice in CCAM Galway in 2018. Passmans work is part of the Irish state art collection. These etchings are produced by needle point onto metal plate and are inspired by the medieval ruins in Athenry, County Galway.
'Read all about it' with Athenry's very own Medieval Times!
See all the news on the 16th August 1316. Print off your copy today.
Listen to the podcast by Sally-Ann Barrett from Galway Bay FM as she chats to Alan Burgess, Manager of the Athenry Heritage Centre and senior tour guide Jeff Dann on the Heritage Trail of Athenry and the activities of the Athenry Heritage Centre.
Athenry's Virtual Walled Towns Day was designed by the Athenry Heritage Centre in partnership with Galway County Council. The event was supported by the Heritage Council, the Irish Walled Towns Network and Galway County Council.
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Bouncing Off The Walls is a series of concerts to be held in the Athenry Handball Alley, Abbey Row, Athenry.
