The Seán Corcoran Series returns to the heart of Drogheda’s historic walled town with a vibrant three-day programme of the finest in traditional and multi-disciplinary arts.
https://seancorcoranseries.com/
Following a sold-out inaugural festival in 2023, the Seán Corcoran Series returns to the heart of Drogheda’s historic walled town from 6th – 8th September with a vibrant programme of the finest in traditional and multi-disciplinary arts.
Placing traditional music and song alongside Arabic cello music, zine making, recitals, mumming, community history, bell ringing, poetry, documentary film, food, folklore, community gatherings and a new Arts and Heritage Day on Sunday 8th Sept – it promises to be a magical three days.
The stellar line-up includes the Irish debut of Palestinian cellist Naseem Alatrash, musician and composer Natalia Beylis, The Armagh Rhymers, singers Len Graham and Niamh Bury, fiddler Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, archivist Catriona Crowe, broadcaster and biologist Éanna Ní Lamhna, violinist Cora Venus Lunny, poet Theo Dorgan, filmmaker Sorcha Glackin and many more.
Naseem Alatrash’s September 7th performance in Drogheda’s Augustinian Church will be his only date on his Irish debut. He will then travel to the Tyrone Guthrie artists’ retreat in Annaghmakerrig, Co Monaghan, to begin exploratory work on a new collaborative composition with Irish cellist and composer Neil Martin, for the Séan Corcoran Series.
Artist-in-residence, musician and composer Natalia Beylis, will create a specially commissioned graphic score in collaboration with the bell ringers of St Peter’s Church of Ireland, to be performed live on the closing day of the festival.
The festival’s Wild Herb Project will see Tuites Butchers create a wild garlic sausage, Ariosa Coffee devise an elderflower cordial sweet treat and Only Natural Health Food store host a talk with community historian Brendan Matthews on the long history of medicinal and culinary herbs in Drogheda, and their modern day uses.
Filmmaker Sorcha Glackin and writer Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde are this year’s participants in our Culture in the Classroom programme strand and will deliver workshops in Drogheda schools in winter 2024.
FRIDAY 6th SEPTEMBER
The festivities begin at Droichead Arts Centre on Friday 6th September with an intimate evening of song with Dublin’s Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, accompanied by cellist Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz and guitarist Ian Kinsella.
SATURDAY 7th SEPTEMBER
On Saturday morning, festival artist-in-residence – musician, composer and sonic storyteller Natalia Beylis – will deliver a specially curated community zine making workshop with Rita Hynes of the Drogheda Zine Fair, inspired by the writing, community organising and activism of the late Drogheda historian, Moira Corcoran.
Later that afternoon filmmaker Sorcha Glackin’s sensitively rendered film portrait of legendary Irish song collector Tom Munnelly for TG4 – Tom Munnelly: Fear na n-Amhrán, will screen as part of the Séan Corcoran Series at Droichead Arts Centre.
An ‘in conversation’ on the making of the film with Director Sorcha Glackin and Irish Times journalist Sorcha Pollak will follow the screening.
Singer Niamh Bury, a founder member of Dublin’s Cobblestone based Night Before Larry Got Stretched song collective, will host the Seán Corcoran Series singing session on Saturday afternoon, where you can hear some of the finest traditional singers in the English language and sean-nós realm.
Join community historian Brendan Matthews and Inis Hartigan of Only Natural Health Food Store to learn about the history of medicinal and culinary herbs in Drogheda and their modern day uses.
On the evening of Saturday 8th September in Drogheda’s Augustinian Church there’ll be a gala gathering in celebration of the true spirit of hospitality for all – with Naseem Alatrash, Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, Len Graham, Niamh Bury, the Sunday’s Gate Quartet, Libby McCrohan, Cora Venus Lunny, Theo Dorgan, Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde, Michael Holohan and more.
SUNDAY 8th SEPTEMBER
Sunday sees the launch of the new Séan Corcoran Series Arts and Heritage Day on St Laurence Street, in the Old Methodist Church, Highlanes Gallery and at St Laurence’s Gate.
Events include an ‘In Conversation’ in the Highlanes Gallery with archivist and author Catriona Crowe on her life and fascinating 40-year career at the National Archives of Ireland, with historian Donal Fallon.
Artist-in-residence Natalia Beylis will give a listening workshop geared towards both novice and seasoned sound collectors, field recordists and those interested in finding new ways to engage with our everyday sonic landscape. All that is needed is a digital or analog handheld recorder, or your phone, and an open ear!
Community Historian Brendan Matthews will give a talk on the history of the Old Methodist Church and a public address from St Laurence’s Gate, on Drogheda’s historic town walls and defences.
Both the Louth and Meath Archaeological and Historical Societies will join in for the day and have books, journals and membership forms at the ready for you to join up.
Artist-in-residence Natalia Beylis’ specially commissioned graphic score in collaboration with the bell ringers of St Peter’s Church of Ireland, will be performed live.
A Wonders of the Wild event for children and adults with Louth native, nature writer and broadcaster Éanna Ní Lamhna will tell us why squirrels don’t hibernate, frogs don’t drown, and how caterpillars burst.
Visitors are welcome to make a Mummers hat with Leitrim’s Sowing the Seed Project or try out a set of uilleann pipes with Na Píobairí Uilleann.
A flute troupe led by Rev Gary Hastings with Aoife Granville, Fióna Ní Mhearáin, Sabhbh Ní Mhaolagáin, Harry Bradley and Fintan Vallely will perform in tribute to the great flute player and singer, Cathal McConnell.
Celebrated traditional music and theatre ensemble the Armagh Rhymers will bring the rich tradition of mumming and rhyming to life on the streets of Drogheda to close the festival.
The Festival’s Artistic Director Rósa Corcoran says: “Last year’s sold-out festival was a really joyous gathering in celebration of the life and work of my late father Seán. To be able to bring artists and audiences together in the heart of his hometown of Drogheda town felt very special.
A lot of love and care has gone into the curation of this year’s programme. It’s important to me personally that all who join us feel a sense of welcome and croí na féile – ‘the soul of hospitality’ is our guiding light.
There’s a rich tradition of song in Drogheda and across Louth, and a vibrant grassroots culture of creativity. That’s always been enhanced by those from other places who’ve chosen to make Drogheda their home. That’s really something to celebrate and for three days, from Sept 6th to 8th, we will endeavor to do just that. With thanks to our sponsors the Arts Council, the Heritage Council, Louth County Council, Poetry Ireland, and Drogheda Credit Union”
Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, said: “The Heritage Council is proud to sponsor the Arts and Heritage Day as part of the Sean Corcoran Series in Drogheda this September. This vibrant celebration is funded through our Irish Walled Towns Network, of which Drogheda is a cherished member. We are thrilled to support an event that brings together such a magnificent line-up of speakers and performers. On Arts and Heritage Day, attendees will have the opportunity to experience the best of Irish heritage, showcased by our finest historians, archivists, musicians, and artists. We have no doubt that the festival will be a resounding success and a testament to the rich cultural tapestry of our nation.”
There’s something for all ages. Events are priced individually, and tickets are now on sale at: https://seancorcoranseries.com/events/
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