Celebrating the Irish short story

10th annual Scribes at The Duncairn

Featuring Jan Carson, Paul McVeigh & Bernie McGill.

7 pm, Fri 9th August

(doors open 6.30)

Free, no need to book!

Chaired by Marnie Kennedy, Shared Reading facilitator.

This event is hosted by Stories@theDuncairn, a volunteer-led, community literary project, in partnership with the Greater New Lodge Community Festival and Féile an Phobail.

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Unfortunately we have had to postpone this event until later in the year.  All tickets have been refunded, we apologise for any inconvenience.

“In Conversation With…” is our latest series of events here at the Duncairn in which our good friend Professor Phil Scraton will host in-depth conversations with some inspirational people that we really admire. 

Frances Black

Senator Frances Black is a prominent Irish singer-songwriter, activist, and politician. Born in Dublin, she began her music career in the 1980s, achieving international success as a performer and recording artist. Throughout her life she has been actively involved in social justice and is a vocal advocate for human rights, animal welfare, and the environment.

In 2009 she founded the RISE Foundation, a charity providing support and resources for families impacted by a loved one’s addiction. In 2016, she was elected as an independent member of the Seanad Éireann, the Irish Parliament’s upper house, where has been a strong advocate for Palestine, mental health, addiction, and homelessness. Committed to equality, diversity, and social justice she is a vocal supporter of the rights of refugees and migrants.

In Ireland and internationally, her achievements in music and politics have garnered widespread admiration and acknowledgement. Her incisive interventions in the Seanad, on civic engagement, the occupied territories and addiction, brought a Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Award in Washington DC. In Conversation with Frances will discuss her music, her political engagement and her humanitarian work.

“Please note: this event will be recorded.  NO BYO alcohol will be permitted.”

In Conversation is a series of events at the Duncairn where Professor Phil Scraton hosts in-depth conversations with inspirational people from a working class background who have become leaders in their field; whether that be arts, social justice, literature, filmmaking, law, music and more. 

In this edition, Phil will speak with leading Scottish singer-songwriter Eddi Reader, herself no stranger to the Duncairn stage, to find out more about her beginnings, her successes with Fairground Attraction and as a solo artist, through to what the future might hold.   Maybe even a song or two - we’re really looking forward to this one!

Doors 2pm : Show 3pm : Cafe will be open.

Comedian Andrew Ryan originally from Cork has moved to Belfast. In the Cork in the North podcast Andrew talks to people from all across Ireland about this really interesting part of the island.

We're back with another live show. Chat show style! We will have guests from different walks of life and live music all to be announced.

“Please note: this event will be recorded.  NO BYO alcohol will be permitted.”

“In Conversation With…” is our latest series of events here at the Duncairn in which our good friend Professor Phil Scraton will host in-depth conversations with some inspirational people that we really admire.  With 2 successful events already under our belt featuring Maxine Peake and Bernadette McAliskey, we welcome Jimmy McGovern.

Jimmy McGovern

‘Jimmy McGovern is a Liverpool writer and producer whose films and television series have won multi awards including 5 BAFTAs and 3 Prix Europa. They include Hillsborough; Cracker; The Street; Dockers; Accused; Time; Care; Hearts and Minds; and Common. His film Sunday focused on the circumstances and aftermath of the 1972 killing of 14 peaceful civil rights marchers in Derry by soldiers of the Parachute Regiment who opened fire without provocation. Emmy nominated, it won the Prix Italia.

His work has broken new ground in television drama and drama documentary, consistently confronting social, political and economic inequalities while demonstrating the compassion and resilience of daily life within disenfranchised communities.’

ALL WELCOME : FREE EVENT

A Household Project with artist Aisling O’ Beirn supported by Belfast City Council

Calling all North Belfast Residents & Visitors

Right To The Night - North Belfast 

Project Launch - Thursday 7th September 6 pm  

You are invited to the launch of Right To The Night - North Belfast a new project by North Belfast based artist Aisling O'Beirn, addressing the impact of light pollution in North Belfast.  

We want to get local people actively involved in the project to set up a North Belfast Dark Sky Advocacy Group. This event will introduce Aisling and open up the project through discussion and a screening of her film Slices Of Time: Some Extracts. There will also be a chance to hear about upcoming activities and how you can get involved,  

Come along and get involved. Everyone Welcome!

Featuring Tony Macaulay, Michael Magee, Michelle Gallen & Lizz Murphy

Lizz Murphy was born in Belfast but has shared her time between the Australian bush and Canberra for over 40 years. She has worked in publishing, arts marketing, arts and poetry development, community arts and the media. She is the former Poetry Editor of The Canberra Times. She has published fourteen books. The Wear of my Face (Spinifex Press, 2021) is her ninth poetry title.

Dr Tony Macaulay is an author, peacebuilder and broadcaster from Belfast. His books Paperboy, Breadboy and All Growed Up are critically acclaimed bestsellers in Ireland. His autobiography Little House on the Peace Line tells the story of how he lived and worked on the peace line in North Belfast in the 1980s. His latest book, Kill the Devil: A Love Story from Rwandais co-authored with Rwandan screenwriter Juvens Nsabimana.

Michael Magee is from Poleglass. His debut novel, Close to Home, has received widespread acclaim, and is the story of Sean, a graduate, involved in a drunken assault on a night out, and follows his reflections—the struggles of his working-class upbringing and the lingering shadows that the Troubles have cast on the ‘ceasefire generation’

‘Kneecap meets Chekhov—no one else is doing this. I had great hopes for this novel and Michael Magee has booted it out of the park. Absolutely glorious’ – Louise Kennedy

Factory Girls is Michelle Gallen’s darkly comic follow-up to Big Girl, Small Town (currently being adapted for TV). The main character is smart-mouthed and filthy-minded Maeve Murray who is in a summer job, ironing 800 shirts a day, hoping that her A-Level results will be her ticket out of the North. It is 1994, pre-ceasefire, and there is the divisive marching season to contend with… and the paws of her English boss, Handy Andy Strawbridge, to dodge.

‘Vital, bang-on, and seriously funny’ – Roddy Doyle
‘A cracking, confident follow-up: at times savagely funny, but with a loamy undertow of complex feeling’ – The Times

Chaired by Marnie Kennedy, Shared Reading facilitator.

This event is hosted by Stories@theDuncairn, a volunteer-led, community literary project, in partnership with the Greater New Lodge Community Festival and Féile an Phobail.

Café at the Duncairn open for tea, coffee and refreshments. Wine Reception. All welcome!

Part of the Loungin’ series in our downstairs space. Limited tickets. 18+ BYO.

This will also mark the Launch of our NOT A MEMBERSHIP scheme.

David Keenan has been among the most fascinating new Irish artists of the past ten years. 

In the making of his new album Crude, he was aiming to return to his roots and embrace a rawer – unflinchingly honest – form of songwriting. The result is a challenging and poetic album which he has released independently through his own label Barrack Street Records".

A songwriter and lyricist who has continued to defy categorization by avoiding the obvious, he has released two previously critically acclaimed albums -"A Beginner's Guide to Bravery" released in 2020, which reached number 1 in the Independent Charts & the 2021 follow up "WHAT THEN?" widely received as a critical triumph.

Other works include a collection of poetry "Soundings of an Unnamed Bird" & the live album "Alchemy & Prose". He has toured consistently for over five years, building a commited live following throughout Ireland, the UK, Europe and North America with notable events including two headline nights in Dublin's Olympia theatre, the main stage of Electric Picnic, residencies in Paris and New York's Irish Arts Centres & most recently writing the music for Evanne Kilgallon's debut play 'AN LÁR'.

Kerry native & multi-instrumentalist, Lorraine Nash, is one of Ireland’s newest rising talents. Lorraine’s vocal emanates from a soulful place, somewhere between Tracy Chapman and Gillian Welch, evoking Americana and folk tones. Lorraine has been performing since she was young and is a talented pianist, guitar, harp, flute and violin player. Equally at home in Irish Trad, Lorraine’s original material brings an eclectic mix of music traditions to the table, while ensuring that her own unique voice and élan comes through unmistakably. Emerging as an artist during a global pandemic, Lorraine has managed to establish herself as a songwriter and performer of esteem and recognition appearing on numerous ‘Recommends’ playlists on RTE Radio 1 and bringing her sound across the water to the UK and US Currently finessing her debut album, we can expect more new music from the talented songwriter before the end of the year.

“Please note: this event will be recorded.  NO BYO alcohol will be permitted.”

“In Conversation With…” is our latest series of events here at the Duncairn in which our good friend Professor Phil Scraton will host in-depth conversations with some inspirational people that we really admire.  After a successful launch in April with actor Maxine Peake, we welcome Bernadette McAliskey for the second event.

Bernadette McAliskey

One of six children, whose father died when she was nine years old, like many families in Cookstown, Bernadette Devlin endured poverty and sectarianism, inspiring her socialism and republicanism. She was politically active in the student movement, taking on a significant role in the 1969 Belfast to Derry Civil Rights march brutally attacked by Loyalists. In Derry, 14 innocent people were shot dead by soldiers of the Parachute Regiment. Aged 22, she was elected MP for Mid-Ulster. In her writing, broadcasting and public talks Bernadette’s political activism has remained unwavering.

Since 1997 she has worked, now as Director, for the rights-based South Tyrone Community Empowerment Programme. STEP is committed to protecting and advocating for the rights to housing, welfare, employment and legal protection for the many families recruited from Europe to work in agriculture and factories. Aiming to ensure the development of sustainable communities and to eradicate racism and racial inequality, STEP challenges economic marginalisation and social exclusion though personal support and community development.

Tonight’s conversation will focus on Bernadette’s lifelong commitment to socialist-feminism within a society divided by sectarian conflict.

Comedian Andrew Ryan originally from Cork has moved to Belfast. In the Cork in the North podcast Andrew talks to people from all across Ireland about this really interesting part of the island.

“We're back for our second live podcast. A Sunday afternoon in Belfast. We will have a live recording of the podcast in a relaxed atmosphere with some special guests on the day. The Coffee shop will be open on the day. Join us for something different. We will be done by 5pm!!”

Music : Alfi & The Duncairn Creative Collective
Talk : Professor John Barry : ‘Hope, agency and revolution in the face of the planetary crisis’

The Duncairn’s 100 Club is a mix of arts & activism, each evening’s musical and poetry lineup provides a backdrop to discussion of a chosen topic. Audiences are limited to 100 and seated at long tables, with free wine and food provided to help foster a sense of community.

Multi-award winning trio Alfi is the collaborative project of musicians Fiachra Meek, Ryan McAuley and Alannah Thornburgh. Featuring an unusual line-up of harp, five string banjo and uilleann pipes, Alfi explores a combination of traditional Irish and Appalachian music and song.

Nominated for ‘Best Emerging Folk Artist’ at the RTE Folk Awards 2022, Alfi have also received numerous accolades including the ‘US Embassy Creative Minds Award’, The ‘Caoimhin O Dochartaigh Award’ at Imbolc International Music Festival and Molloy Award at “Birmingham TradFest”. The trio released their EP ‘Wolves in the Woods’ in 2019 to great critical acclaim, following the release with a successful tour around Ireland and the UK. Alfi will release their debut album Say Old Man in Spring 2023.

The Duncairn Creative Collective is our collaborative project which brings together Ireland’s most exciting young talent to create new work. They’ve been blowing away audiences since the project has begun and the best thing is, it’s different every time!

Prof John Barry is Co-Director of the Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action at Queen's University Belfast, Co-Chair of the Belfast Climate Commission and a Rep for UCU He is passionate, knowledgeable and engaging which means he’s the perfect fit for our 100 Club.

100 Club

Where arts meet activism, it’s the Duncairn 100 Club and this time on top of our solid music offering from trad duo Joseph McNulty & Cillian Doheny as well as folk songstress Saoirse Casey we’ve got special guests Kabosh presenting their latest production Not On Our Watch:

When our only dedicated women’s hostel is threatened with closure, six determined workers rise together to fight against a failing system and an uncaring establishment.  

 

For 12 weeks they live, work, and breathe resistance.  

Standing up to a management structure refusing to find solutions. 
Standing up for the women they protect. 
Standing up for essential services. 
Standing up to shout: 

NOT ON OUR WATCH 

Produced by Kabosh with support from Unite The Union

SAOIRSE CASEY grew up in a musical family, & her childhood home was full of musical instruments. As a child she made plays, short films & stories. As a teenager, she taught herself piano & guitar, and started to write songs everyday. Very soon after, she was performing. Her first concert was supporting Declan O Rourke at the INEC, in Killarney. Since then, she has played in many of Ireland’s much loved venues, with her own concerts and at other times supporting different artists including Tiny Ruins, Kila, Mundy, Cathy Davey, and Paddy Casey.
She had the opportunity to perform on Una Healy’s New Year’s Eve Party on RTE, alongside artists such as Lemoncello, The Waterboys, Wallis Bird and others.

Her first recording, a handmade EP, called Carousel, was recorded one night in 2017, sewn and written out one by one. It is a minimal & thoughtful EP about a world that is ending & a love story between a boy and girl, featuring guitar & vocal.

In 2019, Saoirse released ‘’Lunaria’’ (meaning Moon-song) her debut album, as an independent artist. An album both surreal & familiar, featuring a lot of instrumentation, moving between the worlds of folk, rock & classical sound.

She toured the album in Europe, Ireland, and Japan, with her friend and violinist Yuri Atowa, and other musicians.
In 2020, ‘’Lunaria’’ was released as a japanese edition, on the independent label ‘’Eala Label’’ and the songs have been featured on Tv & radio in Japan.

She lives in the countryside with her rabbit, Pipkin.
When not making music, she is writing & learning dance.
She is currently working on her second album.

JOSEPH MCNULTY of Co. Mayo is a well-established multi-instrumentalist among traditional Irish music circles. One of the country's most highly regarded young fiddle players, Joseph is a multi-award winning musician who has spent much of his music career preforming extensively throughout Europe and America, most recently completing an extensive USA Tour with the band Boxing Banjo, of which Joseph is a founder member.

With an immeasurable devotion to Irish culture, Joseph spent his teenage years immersed in the Irish language, moving to Inis Oirr to complete second level education as Gaeilge. Greatly influenced by this experience, Joseph's music encapsulates a dynamic and compelling energy which transpires emphatically through his live performances.

Following their American debut in 2019, Boxing Banjo have amassed a host of devoted fans who have been captivated by their enthusiasm, charm, and musicianship. They are "total naturals on stage," according to the Irish Echo, and their live performances inspire the inner dancer and singer in every audience. They received the "Up & Coming Band of the Year" award at the 2020 American Listener Supported Radio Celtic Music Awards, demonstrating the international recognition they have acquired.

Joseph has also performed and recorded with some of Ire lands most famous and highly regarded musician such as Matt Molloy, Arty McGlynn (RIP), Donal Lunny, David Munnelly, and Shane McGowan to name but a few. In 2018, Joseph released his own debut solo album entitled "A Step in Time", receiving rapturous reviews which highlight his awe-inspiring musicianship, delivering high octane renditions of traditional melodies while also approaching the slow air 'Bruach na Carraige Baine' with a level of sensitivity beyond his years. Joseph has performed at The Duncairn on three previous occasions with various projects and is sure to deliver a night of music which both entertains and captivates those in attendance.

CILLIAN DOHENY is an extremely versatile musician who started playing music when he was eleven years old learning both the acoustic guitar & tenor banjo simultaneously. Along with these instruments Cillian also plays electric guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, tenor guitar & bass keys. In his earlier exploits as a young musician he won All-Ireland titles under the 15 - 18 category including tenor banjo solo and acoustic guitar accompaniment in 2009. He has toured globally since the age of 16 with various different groups at venues including West Point, NY, The Lincoln Center, NY and the National Concert Hall of Ireland. On the 20th of December 2010 Cillian received the pleasure of performing for the famous U2 at a private welcome home gig in Dromoland castle from their 360-degree world tour where he was lucky enough to be invited for a jam with frontmen Bono and the Edge.

Through the years Cillian has performed with many artists such as Brian Finnegan (Flook), Padraig Rynne (Notify), Kevin Burke (Patrick Street), Pauline Scanlon and world-renowned fiddle player, Frankie Gavin (De Dannan). However, Cillian's most notable work is with bands MOXIE & ATLAS.

Event 11am – 1pm (small lunch provided)

18th October is Anti-Slavery Day, and Invisible Traffick welcomes you to an open discussion on…

‘How does human trafficking impact on young people in our society today?’

A difficult social issue to think of, and its much closer to home than perhaps you have ever considered; so, please join us to consider what these sector professionals would like to share about this very hard, but very real societal issue.

Dr Ruth Fleck is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist who works for the NHS with Children and Young people in Secure Care.

Keith McCaugherty is the Senior youth office at youth work alliance and has worked across Belfast and the youth sector for various organisations for the past 20+ years.

Paul Smyth is Executive Director at Politics in Action and is an engagement expert. He has worked in the area of Community relations in NI most of his career. He is a specialist in youth work, conflict transformation, new media, participation, creative consultation, youth engagement, community engagement and active citizenship.

Sharon Lindsay is a health and family worker, key worker, child protection officer for New start Alternative education. Newstart is a community-based organisation in West Belfast which has served the community for over 20 years.  Sharon is passionate about community and seeing all people achieve their potential she volunteers in her community as well as working to transform the lives of young people.

Peace by Piece Podcast- Jude hill- Jude has been a journalist for over 15 years and her storytelling has been focused on home, but also has taken her to countries around the world. Stand out moments include trips to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and India. Jude is passionate about telling the stories of people who feel under-heard and about seeing conversations sparked that are hard but healing.