From Belfast to Ballydehob - a cross-community cultural collaboration

'This wasn't just a weekend of gigs. It was a connection — a genuine cultural exchange...' Joe O'Leary of Levis' Corner House in Ballydehob introduces the second installment of The Ties That Bind, a unique cross-community collaboration between the two well-loved Irish venues, Levis' in West Cork and The Duncairn in North Belfast.

You could say we'd heard whispers of each other long before we ever met in person. Levis’ in Ballydehob and The Duncairn up in North Belfast — two venues, two communities, sitting at the furthest ends of the island. Places that, on the surface, couldn’t be more different — one in a not so sleepy village of 270 people, the other in the heart of a bustling city.

But, word travels in the music world, and we’d both caught wind of the kind of energy the other was creating. Musicians who played one would speak of the other with that same glint in the eye — "You’d love what they’re doing up there," or "It’s just like Levis’, only different."

One of the best things about having a pub/shop/venue/community space is that almost anyone can walk in your doors .That can also be one of the worst things! One day, I spotted a head peering over the old stone wall at Levis’. It was Ray Giffen, creative director of The Duncairn, and his Sancho Panza, Baz. Next thing, we were leaning against the closed bar counter, having the chat, like old friends. You know that kind of chat that starts slow but finishes with a wild idea? That was the start of The Ties That Bind. Wouldn’t it be gold to do something together?

We knew we wanted to do something together — not just a one-off gig swap, but something bigger. Something deeper. Thanks to the support from Creative Ireland's Shared Island Initiative, and partnering with the Arts Department of Cork County Council and Belfast City Council, we found a way to make it happen. We didn’t want it to be some manufactured arts initiative, but it was never going to be that when it had come about so naturally, almost through respect and curiosity. Two communities on the one island sharing common threads.

First leg was back in July 2024 — we hosted a gang of 30 artists, musicians, writers, and chefs from Belfast down here in Ballydehob. We filled Levis’ to the rafters. We sang, we cooked, we shared stories, lampshades were broken. We showed them the West Cork welcome and, truth be told, they blew us away. The warmth, the talent, the magic. It left us buzzing. Birds of a feather, I guess

Fast forward to November — the return leg. We packed up a bus with 30 of our finest from Ballydehob and West Cork and headed north to take over The Duncairn. We brought the whole show with us — food, tunes, giant puppets, the jazz festival. coffin, papier mâché turnip heads and the spirit of our little village. Levis’ was closed up for the weekend (there was no one left to mind the shop!) and we were on a mission.

Friday night, we opened with a bang — Sing For Your Supper. The incredible Robbie Krawczyk from Restaurant Chestnut cooked up a feast using the finest West Cork produce, and if you fancied a free supper, all you had to do was sing for it. No joke. Stand up, give us a tune, and you might just win back the price of your dinner. It was mad and magical and one of those nights that you’ll be talking about for years.

This project showed us that the soul of Belfast and the soul of Ballydehob beat to the same rhythm.

Saturday was Secret Song – our beloved mystery gig with no lineup announced. We transformed The Duncairn into three stages across the venue, and let the surprises unfold. We had everyone from Clare Sands to Les Salamandas, Molly O’Mahony to First Class & Coach, and even a surprise set from Belfast’s own Joshua Burnside. Spoken word from Cormac Lally and Aoibh Clarke stopped us in our tracks. Theatrical madness from Elaine McCague and Micheál Rowsome had us roaring. There were tears. There was laughter. There were pints (of course). There was community.

Sunday was for the little ones. Junior Secret Song brought a gentle close to the weekend — live music, crafts, creativity, and joy. A reminder that the next generation is already growing into this spirit we’re trying to foster.

Now, throughout the year a handful of artists travel up and down to play their part in artistic residencies in each space and work with the community in each space to explore songwriting and cultural ties .

This wasn’t just a weekend of gigs. It was a connection — a genuine cultural exchange. North and South, rural and urban, Protestant church turned arts centre, and pub-turned-venue. But when you strip it all back, we’re all just people looking for the same things — music, stories, connection, belonging, community.

Ray put it beautifully: "We’re from the opposite ends of the country, but we’re the same people, if you take the time to think about it." He’s right. This project showed us that the soul of Belfast and the soul of Ballydehob beat to the same rhythm.

We’re proud as punch to be part of The Ties That Bind. Massive thanks to everyone who made it happen — to Ray and all the crew at The Duncairn, to Creative Ireland, the councils north and south, and to the artists, friends and family who give so much of themselves to make the world a little bit better. This was only the beginning.

In 2025 we will again host the Duncairn Collective from the 10th to the 13th of July. They are bringing half of Belfast with them this time. Ballydehob will never be the same again .We'll never properly be ready but we are so looking forward to reacquainting with the great poets, writers, musicians and people for another weekend and to strengthen those ties that bind us.

The Duncairn host their takeover in Levis from 10th - 13th July, and Levis will takeover at The Duncairn in November - follow the journey here and here.