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What’s On at the Allingham Festival?

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The 2024 Allingham Festival will offer a rich tapestry of events fromNovember 6-10 in Ballyshannon. ranging from a keynote speech by RTE broadcaster Richard Currari to a concert by delta-blues prodigy Muireann Bradley. Tickets can be purchased online or in-person at the Abbey Centre.

On the 200th anniversary of the birth of William Allingham, Festival events will include:

The World of Ideas

  • Keynote Address by RTE broadcaster Richard Curran: “Artificial Intelligence – Threats and Opportunities, Both Real and Artificial”
  • Artist Celina Muldoon, Dr Rhoda McGovern (Environmental Humanities) and Dr Clare Kelly (Psychology) exploring the consequential issues of our time
  • “Sean O’Casey: Political Activist and Writer” – a talk by Paul O’Brien

The Literary Thread

  • Memoirists Phyl Herbert, Liz McManus and Mary Rose Callaghan in conversation with Sinéad Crowley
  • “Literature and the Law” – a live session of The Fifth Court – Ireland’s Legal Podcast, featuring Mark Tottenham BL and Peter Leonard BL.
  • Screenwriting for Television – a workshop for second-level students led by Ray Lawlor, lead writer for the acclaimed television series Obituary
  • Book Launches:
    • “Grace Notes” by Jennifer Liston – poems and stories of the Irish Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley
    • “110 Donegal Fiddle Tunes, Vol 1” by Caoimhin MacAoidh
    • “Pool of Darkness – Raymond Chandler in Ireland” by Tom Sigafoos
    • “A Maid on Fifth Avenue” by Sinéad Crowley
  • The Literary Lunch, incluing the Allingham Poetry and Fiction Awards Ceremony – Nirvana Restaurant, with buffet lunch tickets available at the door
  • Primary Schools’ Awards for poetry, fiction and art
  • The Mertales Writers’ Group – readings and music in Dicey Reilly’s pub
  • The WORD Regional Meeting – Kilbarron House – all writers welcome

The Film Thread

  • “In the Shadow of Beirut” – documentary film plus Q&A with director Garry Keane
  • Dr Ken Fox: “Magic Primitivism in a Border Landscape – representations of Donegal on film”
  • “Patsy, Man of Stone” – film by Michael McMonagle
  • “Where the Wind is Always Young” – film by Declan Doherty
  • “The Battle of Assaroe” – film by Emer O’Shea

The Theatre Thread

  • “An Audience with William and Helen” – a time-traveling event with Ballyshannon’s favourite poet and his wife, the talented watercolourist Helen Allingham, interviewed by Sinéad Crowley, featuring Michael McMullin and Trisha Keane
  • “A Night in November” by Marie Jones, performed by Paddy Campbell
  • “Allingdram” – Three New One-Act Plays by Donegal Playwrights
    • “Homegirls” by Shaun Byrne
    • “The Evicted” by Kieran Kelly
    • “The Priests” by Gerry Moriarty

The Musical Thread

  • The Allingham Concert starring delta-blues prodigy Muireann Bradley and featuring Chanelle McGuinness
  • The Ballyshannon Samba Band
  • “House of Fiddlers” with Glenn Hendrix and Caoimhin MacAoidh
  • The Sunday Evening Concert in St. Anne’s

The Schools Programme

  • Storyteller Joe Brennan
  • Little Top Stars – circus skills for children
  • Children’s Art Workshop with Christine FoxTraditional Favourites
  • Open Mic sessions in McIntyre’s with host Tony Liston
  • “Gather Again” – songs and recitations by Festival-goers, hosted by Conor Carney and featuring the award of the PJ Drummond Cup