Pictures/LCC: Festival in a Van’s unique mobile stage
Festival in a Van Louth performances will take place across four communities this October as the free Harvest Sessions tour comes to Cooley, Dundalk, and Drogheda.
The two-day programme will run on Friday, 2nd October and Saturday, 3rd October, bringing live music and performance directly into local community venues.
The Harvest Sessions tour will take place on Friday, 2nd October and Saturday, 3rd October, with performances at community venues rather than traditional arts spaces.
The first stop will be Cooley Kickhams GFC at 11am on Friday, 2nd October, followed by the Redeemer Family Resource Centre in Dundalk at 4pm.
On Saturday, the programme moves to Drogheda, with a performance at Rathmullan Community House at 1pm, followed by Connect Family Resource Centre in Moneymore at 4pm.
All performances are free.
Local artists on the bill
Artists taking part across the two days include Drogheda singer-songwriter and pianist Theresa McKenna, country singer Eimear Furlong, and Louth musicians Róisín Ward Morrow and Breifne Holohan.
Theresa McKenna has toured internationally with Best of Ireland and supported artists including Emma Langford, Síomha and Brian Kennedy.
Róisín Ward Morrow and Breifne Holohan are long-time collaborators whose music brings together fiddle, vocals, guitar and bouzouki, with a strong grounding in Irish traditional and folk music.
Further programme details are expected to be announced ahead of the tour.
Bringing performances into communities
Harvest Sessions is presented by Festival in a Van in partnership with Louth County Council and is funded through Creative Ireland Louth, with support from Age Friendly Louth and Louth Local Development.
The tour coincides with Positive Ageing Week and the beginning of Louth Social Inclusion Week.
Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council Cllr Dolores Minogue said the programme would bring live performance directly into local communities.
“Harvest Sessions is bringing live music and performance directly into our towns, villages and neighbourhoods. Not only does this initiative create opportunities for people of all ages to come together and enjoy shared experiences close to home it also provides a stage for some of our incredible home-grown talent.
“I would encourage everyone in the communities hosting Harvest Sessions to come along, bring a friend, family member or neighbour, and be part of these events. Whether you are a regular festival goer or simply looking to enjoy something different in your local area, there will be a warm welcome for all.”
‘A shared experience’
Seán McCluskey, Creative Communities Engagement Officer with Louth County Council, said:
“Harvest Sessions is a wonderful opportunity to bring creativity directly into communities across Louth and create shared experiences that are welcoming and accessible to everyone. Taking place during Positive Ageing Week and at the start of Louth Social Inclusion Week, the tour is about bringing people together to connect, enjoy live performance and share in something creative.”
Festival in a Van was established in 2020 and takes live arts performances directly to communities around Ireland using a mobile stage.
Director Jackie Nowell said bringing performances to places where people already meet is a central part of its work.
“A big part of our work is bringing brilliant artists and live performance into places where people already gather, particularly reaching people who may not always have easy access to the arts. We work closely with local partners to shape each visit around the people and place, so every stop has its own character. We’re delighted to be visiting these four communities and are looking forward to two great days of music, performance and people coming together.”
Harvest Sessions timetable
Friday, 2nd October
- 11am: Cooley Kickhams GFC, Cooley Peninsula
- 4pm: Redeemer Family Resource Centre, Dundalk
Saturday, 3rd October
- 1pm: Rathmullan Community House, Rathmullan Park, Drogheda
- 4pm: Connect Family Resource Centre, Moneymore, Drogheda
Updates will be available through Louth County Council and Creative Ireland Louth.
