Culture | Books, Music, Theatre, Film & The Arts

The No Show, and exploring working-class generation trauma

Over two years, artists Catherine O'Halloran and Grace Dyas created The No Show, a 'trauma-informed contemporary art film' inspired by working-class men who don't 'turn up'.

Film • 10 Jan

Musician Sarah Corcoran of Pillow Queens (Pics: Emily Quinn)

Where's Your Head At? Mental health, community and photography

For this year's First Fortnight festival, a collection of artists and individuals connected to First Fortnight and the wider arts community sat with photographer and creator Emily Quinn for a portrait shoot.

First Fortnight • 08 Jan

Composer Norah Walsh: 'Long may it (music) continue to enhance our lives.

Why is choral singing good for your mental health?

For this year's First Fortnight festival, socially engaged composer, musical director, and musician Norah Walsh has composed a choral piece inspired by the vision and aims of First Fortnight; to end the stigma associated with mental ill health.

First Fortnight • 07 Jan

Amir Sabra: 'For my mind to remain healthy, it must be able to comprehend what my senses are experiencing.' (Pic: Maurice Gunning)

Palestinian dance artist Amir Sabra on connection and resilience

Created by Palestinian dance maker Amir Sabra, Within this Party is a unique improvisational dance performance coming to this year's First Fortnight festival that blends the traditional Palestinian dabke and hip-hop to explore themes of connection and res

First Fortnight • 06 Jan

Little John Nee: 'Let the fun go deep.' (Pic: Declan Devlin)

Zeitgeist Jukebox: Little John Nee's language of soul

Zeitgeist Jukebox is a new immersive theatre experience from one-man theatrical powerhouse Little John Nee, promising a soulful antidote to the disconnection of our times, and a testament to the healing power of music.

First Fortnight • 04 Jan

Jenny Macdonald in The Tightrope Walker (Pics: Vlad Gurdis)

Meet The Tightrope Walker: Jenny Macdonald on illness & recovery

The Tightrope Walker is a new play from writer and performer Jenny Macdonald, navigating a personal journey through the chaotic and profound territory of illness and recovery.

First Fortnight • 03 Jan

Dafe Orugbo is in the Cistin for First Fortnight (Pic: Rachel Smythy)

First Fortnight: Trudie Gorman on Cistin, community & connection

Writer, performance poet and community development worker Trudie Gorman is the curator of Cistin, which returns to the First Fortnight Mental Health Art & Culture Festival for its 2024 edition.

First Fortnight • 04 Jan 24

Xnthony is bringing his Big Gay Ball to Donegal (Pic: Declan Kelly)

New Year's slay - Xnthony on cabaret hi-jinks and quitting booze

Nightlife Visionary and playwright extraordinare Xnthony comes to this year's First Fortnight Festival as writer and producer of the Big Gay Ball...

First Fortnight • 12 Jan 24

Dopa-Mean Girl: writer and performer Louisa Ní Eideáin (Pic: Melanie Mullan)

Dopa-Mean Girl: Louisa Ní Eideáin's life as an artist with ADHD

Scríofa agus curtha i láthair ag Louisa Ní Eideáin seo seó ina bhfuil Béarla agus Gaeilge fite fuaite, Dopa-Mean Girl explores the musical journey of a woman with late diagnosis ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

First Fortnight • 30 Apr 24

Irish Women In Harmony at Electric Picnic 2023 (Pic: Glen Bollard)

Celebrating Nollaig na mBan with the First Fortnight festival

Maria Fleming, CEO of the First Fortnight Mental Health Art & Culture Festival, introduces this year's Nollaig na mBan celebrations at First Fortnight.

First Fortnight • 02 Jan 24

Artist Tom Meskell: 'It takes a village to make a lantern' (Pic: Amayo Photography)

Artist Tom Meskell shines a light on Dublin's Botanic Gardens

Artist Tom Meskell introduces his unique contribution to this year's First Fortnight Mental Health Art & Culture Festival