Join Maynooth University from 9-11 May (and a festival satellite event on 16 May) for a feast of culture at Maynooth University’s annual Arts and Minds festival, with everything from opera, book readings to street food.
What’s on?
There’s something for everyone at this year’s festival which begins on Thursday, 9th with a concert version of Vivaldi’s opera, L’Olimpiade courtesy of Irish National Opera. Our collaboration with Maynooth Film For All continues on Friday 10th with a screening of the award-winning movie, Ballywalter starring Maynooth graduate, Seána Kerslake and TV presenter, Patrick Kielty. Also on Friday, An Fhéile Bheag kicks off with REIC, a slam poetry and performance evening directed by Ciara Ní É in Maynooth village.
The Saturday programme is sure to tickle cultural tastebuds. Queer Religion, an award-winning photographic exhibition which spotlights and celebrates prominent queer leaders in religion will be on display from 10am in the TSI Building, and in the afternoon, a panel discussion event with the photographer, Frances Marshall and a compelling panel of guests, will chat about the multifaceted nature of queerphobia. This event will be chaired by Karen Dempsey, founder and Director of Entheos Ireland.
Between the dazzling lineup of poets, and novelists in The Literary Lounge, is MU Writer-in-Residence Donal O’Kelly who will read excerpts from his current work-in-progress, Nilly and Nullius, exploring modern border control doctrine and its tangled roots. There will also be a screening of the classic 1922 silent movie, Foolish Wives, accompanied by live music from silent movie maestro, Stephen Horne. Your cultural appetite is sure to be fulfilled!
If you’re hungry for more, or just plain hungry, MU are partnering this year with Irish Village Markets, the Street Food Specialists, so hungry culture vultures can avail of quality, diverse street food from 12-6pm on Saturday, beside the TSI Building (#30 on campus map). So why not bring a picnic blanket, cop a squat, and enjoy this uniquely Maynooth and family-friendly festival?
An Fhéile Bheag continues its 2024 programme throughout Saturday with: Irish-medium workshops in sean-nós singing with TG4 Singer of the Year (2023), RTÉ Folk Awards 2024 recipient and Maynooth University graduate, Síle Denvir, and in Irish-language rap for teenagers with Séamus Barra Ó Súilleabháin aka Súil Amháin (Gradam Nós 2024); a sean-nós singing walk with famous Oriel singers Piaras Ó Lorcáin (RTÉ Folk Awards 2024) and Bláithín Mhic Cana (Sean-nós Cois Life 2024); an outdoor performing arts picnic with leading Irish-language artists including singer Máire Ní Churraoin (RTÉ Folk Awards 2024) and dancer, Becky Ní Éallaithe (medal winner at Steip 2024); and concluding with a wonderful arts forum featuring Gaelic song repertoires outside of the Gaeltacht.
Closing MU’s biggest festival to date with a musical bang, At the Aula presents ON THE ROAD AGAIN an evening of songs and stories with Tom Dunne of Something Happens, Fiachna Ó Braonáin of Hothouse Flowers, and multi-instrumentalist Alan Connor. Also performing in the Aula at this magical Maynooth evening is the wonderful Irish alternative folk duo, Lemoncello.
Finally, kicking off the festival satellite programme of events on Thursday 16th May, Adania Shibli, the acclaimed Palestinian novelist, essayist, and academic, author of the important novel Minor Detail will be joining us, reading from her work and in conversation with Dr Rita Sakr and Dr Sinéad Kennedy.
Arts and Minds is Maynooth University’s campus celebration of the best in the Irish and international arts and culture, welcoming the university and wider community, alumni, students, and staff to join them for live and in-person arts events.
Get Curious About Culture and get your tickets here before they’re snapped up! Full programme listing here.
