By Eoghan Darcy
And what a weekend it’s going to be down at Scotch Hall Shopping Centre with a wide range of music, arts and crafts and free events for children and families. Thanks to the support of Scoil Aonghusa there will be a Gaeilge Hub downstairs in the centre with a real focus on promoting Irish language and culture.
Inspired by a Seachtain Na Gaeilge energy and enthusiasm there will be a big selection of events organised by the school including a Ceilí Disco, Pop Up Gaeltacht and a Leprechaun Treasure Hunt where every child gets a treat for entering. On top of this there will be bigger prizes and vouchers drawn at random throughout the day.
The school’s principal, Edel Ní Bhroin, was only too happy to get on board saying This partnership highlights a shared commitment to celebrating and promoting our rich Irish language and cultural heritage within the heart of the community.
Scotch Hall Shopping Centre were also delighted to announce that Waterstones will have Irish language readings and free gifts to commemorate World Book Day, also hosted in the Gaeilge Hub. While the Omniplex Cinema are screening a number of Irish movies including Spongerbob and Kneecap over the weekend.
Centre Manager Nichola Kelly saying We are delighted to once again support the festival as both a sponsor and host venue and to see such a wonderful mix of cultural activities coming to life in the centre. It will be fantastic to host the Gaeilge hub that will have so many activities for lovers of the Irish language and of course the live music and entertainment will add to the fantastic atmosphere over the weekend.
Local artists Darren Finnegan and Rose Dunne have been busy preparing for workshops that will take place upstairs in Scotch Hall Shopping Centre on Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th of March between 1:00-3:00.
In celebration of Drogheda Pantomime Societies 75th Anniversary there will be an exhibition of photographs running from Saturday until Tuesday.
Also running on Sunday the 15th and Monday the 16th of March will be Drogheda’s renowned Cottage Market in a marquee specially erected for the weekend at The Riverside. Established in 2016 by Eimear Cullen the market has steadily grown over the years and it is a place where the many local creative artists and producers can display all the best of home grown, homemade and hand crafted goods. The market has also showcased some great local musical talent which delighted Eimear, who said, “It’s such a wonderful idea to bring everything together down at Scotch Hall Shopping Centre for the festival. It’s going to be a very exciting weekend!
In addition to all these great arts and crafts there is an incredible line up of local musical talent on stage at The Gig Rig at the Riverside and inside above the Food-court in Scotch Hall Shopping Centre over the weekend. Featuring headline acts The Drogheda Male Voice Choir, Rapscallion and The Wednesday Club, there will be a wide variety of music and something for all to enjoy.
On top of all this on Sunday the 15th of March at 6:00 Saint Patrick will make a spectacular return to Drogheda up the River Boyne followed by fireworks and music from DJ Justin at 8:00. Tune in tomorrow for a full run down on all the acts that will be performing over the weekend. Full details available from scotchhall.ie.
The Drogheda Festival Committee would like to thank all their generous sponsors including Scotch Hall, Fitz Scientific, Louth County Council, and Drogheda BIDS along with the support of local service providers The Garda Síochana, Boyne Fisherman’s Rescue and Recovery Service, The Irish Coast Guard, Order of Malta and Louth Volunteers who together make this weekend the best family day out of the year.
